Regarding the meowing stage....it doesn't get any better!
Read your posting. I must tell you, I laughed so hard! I know, it can be just so frustrating sometimes! This might sound odd... but, my vet once told me ages ago that the more you talk to your cat, the more they meow at you. I have had kitties since I was 3. I grew up in a household that constantly talked to the cats. My parents would come home from work, talk to the cats. I would come home from school, talk to the cats. I now come home from work. What do I do? Talk to the cats! Kitties meow as a way of communicating...I know you already know that. But, the funny thing is, cats do not meow at one another unless they are fighting or in heat...which is that horrible, long meow you might sometimes hear from strays. They will hiss, spit, do whatever...but not meow, normally, to one another. When a kitten grows up around people that talk to him/her on an everyday basis, they will begin to 'communicate'. Trust me....I get to hear the 'opera' every morning at 5:00 AM. It continues until we all go to sleep! My little darlings never have their mouths closed...in fact, I do not even think they have lips! So, on that note, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Sounds like you have a talker. Welcome to the club! Hahahaha!