Published Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:53 PM
Updated Wednesday, May 14, 2008 3:54 PM

 

Gracie comes home

Gracie Noelle XinMing Winge poked the sliding glass door at the two dogs on the other side.

The three-year-old girl, with brand-new glasses and a brand-new dress, began to shout in Chinese at the dogs when they stuck their noses on the glass.

In China, Gracie rarely saw dogs. Now, she lives with two of them.

Gracie was adopted from China by Paul and Peggy Winge of Moncks Corner, and she was brought home on April 13.

Several weeks into becoming an American citizen, Gracie can sing songs, say her ABCs, count to 20 and identify certain objects in English. Prior to Paul and Peggy Winge meeting her in China, she had never heard English.

"(Now) she understands us completely," Peggy said. Gracie has yet to say full sentences, however.

Paul added: "I think she's resigned to having us speak Chinese and she hasn't figured out we're resigned to having her speak English."

As Gracie is learning English, Paul is learning certain phrases and words in Chinese to ease the communication barrier. Where words and language fail, emotion and hand signals often come into play.

"There's only been about three hours where we couldn't solve what the issue was," Paul said. "All in all, that amount of time has been pretty small (where we couldn't communicate)."

Paul and Peggy plan to keep Gracie's native language and culture in the forefront of her upbringing. Peggy has been researching Chinese schools in the area.

"That's something that we will want to keep," she said.

Though the communication barrier has led to some issues, Gracie has become bonded to her family. When Paul comes home from work, Gracie jumps for joy and gives a large smile.

"That's her favorite thing right now: her Baba," Peggy said. "Baba" is the Chinese word for dad.

When other family members come home, Gracie smiles or even gasps in excitement.

As the familiy familiarizes itself to one another, Peggy and Paul have uncovered their daughter's personality. Gracie is sweet and caring around other children, can be stoic in new situations, doesn't like to be dirty, loves to sing, and, although she is typically shy meeting strangers, can be outgoing and vocal around friends and family. Above all, Gracie loves to look at her image, whether in a picture or a video.

Her favorite foods are fruits, vegetables, rice and eggs. She has been eating plenty now that she is stateside -- to the point at which the Chinese adoption representative teased that Gracie has "put on a couple kilos."

"She'll pretty much try anything," Peggy said.

Gracie's stoicism can be seen in the video Paul and Peggy brought back from China. The video shows the Winges and other adoptive families meeting their children for the first time. Unlike many older children, Gracie did not cry. She calmly sits in the arms of Peggy -- soaking in her new life and new parents.

"She was more prepared (than the others)," Peggy said. "Her foster mother -- I give her all the credit in the world -- she prepared her really well."

Gracie's love of singing also has helped her learn English. She can sing the Itsy Bitsy Spider and many more.

One of the high priorities for Gracie when she came back with her parents was eye care. She has congenital cataracts which has impaired her vision, limiting her sight to her immediate surroundings.

Paul Winge learned how to ask her if she could see clearly in Chinese for the doctor's visit. As of last week, Gracie was sporting her new glasses to see her new life.

"She saw better than we were hoping," Peggy said.

Lindsay Street is a staff writer with The Independent. Contact her at 572-0511.

Editor's note: Gracie Noelle XinMing Winge was adopted from China by Paul and Peggy Winge of Moncks Corner. This is the second story about the new addition to the family.