Paperwork Day

Today is Paperwork Day.  We'll go back to the Civil Affairs Office, then on to the Notary and the Police Station.  Somewhere in there we're applying for his Chinese passport.  I really do not understand the whole process; we just show up at the time and place appointed by our guide with the documents that she tells us to bring. 

If we are able to finish all the paperwork today, then we'll sight see and relax tomorrow.  But there's a possibility that Paperwork Day will spill over to tomorrow.

I wish you could see Joseph and Mike this morning.  They are dressed almost identically in long khaki shorts and navy and white striped polo shirts.

Yesterday, I mentioned the negative orphanage behaviors.  I guess I'd better add spitting to the list.  Joseph just spit in Mike's face.  He clearly is more attached to Mike at this point.  He pretty much wants to be touching him or sitting on him or being carried by him -- all the time.  But he also hits him, kicks him and now we'll add "spits on him" to the list.  So I don't really mind that I'm not his favorite at this point!

I'm so thankful for all the research that's been done on international adoption and post-institutionalized kids.  I'm glad I read the "scary" books.  I'm also thankful for many adoptive parents who've walked this road and give us a lot of hope.  We know some of these folks in person.  Others we've just met online.  But they are a wealth of wisdom. 

On the bright side, all orphanage behaviors aren't negative.  Joseph is extremely responsible and orderly.  He walks around the room and makes sure he's put all his belongings in his backpack before bed each night.  If I say that dirty clothes go in the hamper, he makes sure that not one piece of dirty clothing in lying on the floor.  He paints with his watercolors and then methodically puts the paints away and empties the glass of water.  We could use a little of this kind of behavior around our house!

As we observe him and get to know him, we always keep in mind the enormous upheaval that's going on in his life as a result of being adopted by us.  His whole world is changing.  If I were in his shoes, I might want to hit someone too.