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Trig Paxson Van Palin (Phil Walczak/KTUU-TV)
The governor's water broke while she was attending an energy conference in Texas on Thursday. (Phil Walczak/KTUU-TV)
Chuck Heath (Phil Walczak/KTUU-TV)
An unnamed source close to the Palin family has said that Trig may have Down Syndrome. (Phil Walczak/KTUU-TV)by Lori Tipton
Friday, April 18, 2008
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Gov. Sarah Palin gave birth to her fifth child at about 6:30 a.m. Friday morning.
Trig Paxson Van Palin was born at Mat-Su Regional Hospital about one month before he was scheduled to arrive.
Trig Palin weighs six pounds, two ounces.
A press release from the governor's office says Palin and her new son are both "doing well and resting comfortably."
The Palins released the following statement:
"Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."
Just yesterday, Palin was in Texas at a forum on energy with Texas Gov. Rick Perry and executives from four other states.
Palin was asked at the forum whether or not she would accept an offer by Republican presidential candidate John McCain to share the national ticket as vice presidential nominee.
She said she would accept, according to reports from a Texas newspaper.
The governor's water broke during the energy conference but she stayed and gave a 30-minute speech before boarding an Alaska Airlines plane home to deliver the baby.
Gov. Palin's parents, Sally and Chuck Heath, visited with their new grandson Friday afternoon.
The grandfather says Trig is named after his great uncle, a Bristol Bay fisherman, while the name Paxson comes from the well-known snowmachining area.
Both baby and mom are doing well, said Chuck Heath, and will be going home Saturday.
"She's tired, yeah. She traveled, well, she was at that convention, traveled all night, gave birth this morning, what have you, and hasn't slept today. She's tired," he said.
An unnamed source that is close to the family has said that the early testing revealed Trig Palin has Down Syndrome.
Contact Lori Tipton at ltipton@ktuu.com
