Welcome! Sounds as though you've found the right place. You may be surprised how fast the posts rack up :-) Let me have a shot at answering your questions with them in italics rather than boxes for compactness.
-Does she sound gifted?
In short, yes. Loads of caveats about not being able to be sure so young, and also about "gifted" not being a once-for-all attribute in the way the word suggests (see my recent book recommendation for Carol Dweck's Self-theories!), but she has all the signs.
-What did your kids act like when they were almost 2/2?
Glaring difference: mine was only just starting to talk! You'll get more out of comparisons with other highly verbal pre-twos: some parents of those will be along shortly, I'm sure. (He was always different, though. Endless attention span from birth, check.)
-Do I need to get her evaluated. I can't see any reason to, but I am worried she might miss out on things without the proper ID.
Don't worry about it until you have a reason to do it. It's very unreliable until 6 or so anyway - you'd probably only want to do it if you needed testing for early school entry or entry to a specialist school. It wouldn't do any harm to start thinking about educational options.
-Is IQ hereditary?
Statistically yes, quite largely.
-Her language is what really sets her apart. At 22 months, she talks nonstop in complete and complex sentences. I have counted over 20 words. Let's see, today she said, "I want to go to Jason's deli because I know I am going to get a lollipop after I eat my vegetables there." She also can say 4 and 5 syllable words near perfect. My question is" She is obviously ahead in the verbal area. Does that ever even out?
Depends what you mean. My DS, who had fewer than 5 words at age 22 months, "got" speech extremely fast once he got going, and by, say, 3, had language that was obviously far in advance of most children his age, as he still has. In that sense, your DD may even out with some children her age who don't talk yet. It is probable that she will stay unusual, though.
-I am a stay at home mom and devoted to her. We go to museums as she demands. We go to the playground. She loves playing in the backyard. But, that is it. No school. Do I need to get her signed up?
Not necessarily. As with any child, you might want to find her opportunities for being around other children and adults without you, but you might choose not to. You may find it easier to enjoy her if you have a break from her sometimes, too! I'd suggest that if you do look for such an opportunity, you're more likely to have a good experience if you go for something purely play-based.
-Should I be teaching her how to read? She knows letters but I have not told her what sounds they make. (I wish I had way back when when she asked the names. I should have just told her the sounds, right?)
I'd say, don't set out to teach her, but if she wants your help in "breaking the code" feel free to help her. You might for example want to introduce her to starfall.com and see if she likes it. If not, no hurry.
Have fun!
