A New Update on Joey!!!

We recently got an unexpected update on Joey! Unexpected is the BEST way to get an update in the adoption process. When we are expecting one, I just obsess over my email waiting for it to come. This was a total surprise and so wonderful!!

We got 2 new pictures of our guy.  His front teeth are growing in and I think he looks so much older, which makes me sad that we are missing out on so much.  But he also looks a little healthier than the last pictures, so that's comforting.

He is really tiny and our Adoption Doc says he's nowhere near the growth chart and we'll have to address that when he gets home. But that's not terribly uncommon for a kiddo growing up in an orphanage, unfortunately.  He'll be 8 years old this summer and he's the size of our 5 year old.  I can't wait to fatten him up!!!

Yet again, he is described as a happy-go-lucky kid who is quick to give a smile and a hand to others.  The update also said he can walk about 21 yards and can climb the stairs on his own.  It also said he can feed himself and help out with some of his self care. These were things we were wondering about, so it's great information to have.  He also apparently is obsessed with Spider-Man!  We love little details like that, it makes it feel like we know him a little better.

Another fun fact: His Chinese name Zhao Yu is pronounced "Jow Yoo", which we'll keep as his middle names. So he'll be Joseph Zhao Yu Coleman. We've been practicing the pronunciation!  Another very cool fact is Maggie's middle names are Yu Fei, so they have the "Yu" name in common!

He lives with a foster family within the orphanage and also gets some schooling within the orphanage.  From what we've heard, his orphanage is better than many in China, which is such a blessing. But it's not substitute for a family, proper health care and schooling, so we need to get him home asap!!

Our dossier (fancy word for "our life on paper") is at our agency ready and waiting except for ONE item, which is approval from the United States Government. Once that comes, we can submit everything to China and get the ball rolling on their side of things.  We've made a lot of paperwork progress, but it's still looking like we won't be able to travel until fall sometime.  As much as I'm anxious to get him home, we're trying to relish where we are right now and make the most of these last months as a family of 6.