Joseph Q&A

Has Joseph started losing baby teeth already or does he have a big gap between his teeth?

Neither. He is missing his top tooth, but only because-according to the orphanage doctor- he fell while running. I told you he was very active and very clumsy. Not the best combination for the front teeth.

Why does Joseph has so many scrapes and scabs and bruises?

He is very active and very clumsy. He climbs a lot and he falls down a lot! Yesterday we witnessed him trying to walk backwards down the stairs of the playground equipment. Before we could run over and catch him he had already tumbled down, backwards, onto his back in the dirt. Most kids would have cried but he laughed and laughed.....and laughed....

Is Joseph really potty trained?
I don't know. They told us he is schedule trained, but sometimes they bring him to us in a diaper and sometimes in underwear. We haven't been able to figure it out. I'm assuming they put the kids in diapers for their outside playtime to prevent accidents since the bathroom is too far away. We should have a chance before we leave to go over his schedule with the caretakers but for now we are only allowed to play with him outside and we can't see him in his daily environment of eating, sleeping, pottying, etc.


Does Joseph talk?
We don't really know. He does talk some kind of gibberish but we don't know if he is speaking Russian or just making sounds like Ava does. :) Regardless he makes his wishes very clear through facial expressions, body language and pointing.

Does Joseph recognize you and does he understand you are there to adopt him?
Yes he recognizes us, and he smiles really big, and sometimes runs to us when he first sees us. I really don't think he understands we are here to adopt him, I think he just thinks we have been designated as his very own personal playmates. :)


Is Joseph wearing his whitey tighties in some of the photos?

It sure looks like it to me! But I assume what is whitey tighties to us, is shorts to them?

And speaking of whitey tighties......
For your viewing pleasure...
Yesterday John offered to walk up to the orphanage to get Joseph while I waited outside on the bench by the playground. I asked him to please video tape him because I love to see his expression when he first realizes we are there to play with him again. Here is that video....