Palin welcomes fifth child, a son named Trig Paxson Van Palin
Originally published Friday, April 18, 2008 at 1:10 p.m.
Updated Friday, April 18, 2008 at 3:57 p.m.
Digg
delicious
Facebook
Mixx
Reddit
Stumble It!
JUNEAU — Gov. Sarah Palin gave birth Friday to her fifth child, a boy, about a month before her due date.
Trig Paxson Van Palin weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces. A news release from Palin’s office says the 44-year-old governor and the baby are doing well and resting comfortably.
“Trig is beautiful and already adored by us,” said the Palin family in a written statement. “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.”
Anchorage television station KTUU on Friday quoted an unnamed source close to the family saying the baby has Down syndrome.
The governor’s spokeswoman Sharon Leighow would neither confirm nor deny the report. Leighow said Palin would talk with reporters early next week.
Leighow said mother and baby are doing well and resting comfortably.
“It sounds like the delivery was fine, the baby was fine. He just came into the world early,” Leighow said.
The name Trig is a Norse word meaning “true” and “brave victory,” Leighow said. Paxson is an area of Alaska that both Palin and her husband Todd feel is “one of the most beautiful spots in Alaska,” she added.
Palin earlier joked about naming the baby Van Palin after the ’80s rock group Van Halen.
Palin went into labor Thursday while attending an energy conference for governors in Texas, where she gave a keynote address. Her contractions let up enough for her to fly home on Alaska Airlines to deliver her baby in Alaska, Leighow said.
Palin was scheduled to sign a bill on Saturday at the Lions Convention in Anchorage allowing for the redistribution of used eyeglasses. Leighow said Palin will sign the bill without attending the event.
“Until yesterday we were planning bill signings and then the governor gives birth,” Leighow said. “I think it caught everyone off guard.”
The Palins have four other children including a son, Track, 18, and three daughters, Bristol, 17, Willow, 13, and Piper, 7.
Down syndrome is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome. It results in mental retardation, a characteristic broad, flat face and small head and, often, serious heart defects.
Community Discussion
Newsminer.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full user's agreement.
That's so weird I have a cousin named Trigonometry. I think this Trig is derived from Trigger, because of Palin's love of guns. I was pulling for Field to go with Track, but oh well. Congrats Gov!
i adore the name Paxson
Big Mike, I would say that given this part of the statement "We knew through early testing he would face special challenges . . " that may be the case.
Bless the Palin family and their new bundle of joy.
fred411 - I think you're stretching, Trig sounds to me like a name you might hear in northern Europe. Now, it might be weird if Palin had a boy named Sue.
Regardless, congratulations to the Palins.
Okay, "special challenges" are not created by God. Of course, at this point, we should not speculate on what those "special challenges" might be, but I don't like that my governor put out a statement like this to the public. She has a right, but someone in her position should think about choosing her words more carefully. She may have gained some of my respect, but now she's lost some ground.
Fortunately, she was able to make it back to Alaska before the delivery. Imagine the life-long stigma if Trig had been born in Texas.
Okay, then don't read the last sentence. ("She may have gained some of my respect, but now she's lost some ground.")
If you want to be governor, than you should be able to handle criticism.
BTW, bashing would be more like me calling her dumb for her beliefs, which I did not do.
downs??
Van Palin like Van Halen?
OMG, why can’t everyone just say “Congratulations” to the Governor’s family?
Why do people have to make rude/crude comments
and speculate?
This is only a mirror image of one’s self.
Congratulations to Sarah Palin and her new bundle of joy, every baby is beautiful regardless the name. I recently just had my first son, so good luck to your new baby.
Congratulations to the entire Palin family. I'll bet that was a white-knucle Alaska Airlines flight getting back to Alaska. But I can understand- what good Alaskan would ever want their kid to be born in Texas? GRIN.
yes.... congratulations to the palins. it would have been not good if that baby was born in texas.
and if he was born in texas he might have a harder time getting that dividend.... lol
lets show some class and consideration for the Palin family at this time.
This is a great day for the Palins. What a great example of a strong Woman!!!! Thank you for sharing your joy with the rest of us.
Congratulations Sarah and Todd! Glad you made it back to Alaska!*!
Best wishes to your whole family. We Love You
Congrats Sarah and Todd! And the Cradle will Rock....
Great name BTW!
"Paxson"? Now, that's a great name. Ya gotta wonder if "Sleetmute", "Eek", or "Sagavanirktok" were on the short list......
Congratulations to the Palins. Every child is a joy and wonder. We never know she may have just given birth to a future president.--Love ya.
"God would entrust us with this gift" ? I thought babies were created by the stork, not God.
Congrats to the Palins! Trig is certainly blessed with two great parents. Sarah you are my hero! You didn't even need your own private jet to make it back to home (like someone else we know...)
It takes courage to knowingly bring a child with disabilities into the world. The family, and especially the mother, deserve great respect for this.
imusuallyright should be imusuallywrong.
never positive. i usuallydontdog people but you need it buddy
congrats to the Gov and her family.
May God bless her for her love of the Lord and her love for the people of this great state
peace
Congratulations and God Bless this special mother, wife and Governor and her family.
We just want to congratulate you on your addition. Trig is so blessed, as are you guys and we just wish you the best that life can offer.
God bless the entire Palin family. Thank you for setting such an incredible example of the sanctity of human life. We will watch with eager anticipation and joy as Trig grows up.
as a family who also did genetic testing in advance and knew that we'd have a child with disabilities, I applaud Mrs. Palin for her decision to protect life. It's easy for people to judge but until you're in that situation, you just don't know. Trig is wanted and loved, and is a blessing. A beautiful new life is never a wrong decision.
And also there are DOZENS of genetic anomalies that you can test for. Downs is just one of many. My kids have something different.
Congrats to the Palin Family. We love you in AK and here in DC.
A Down's baby is as sweet and wonderful as any child born- what a lucky little guy to be born into such an amazing family. All his older brothers and sisters will dote on the sweet baby boy- he will always be well loved.
Congrats to the Palins and good luck!
Congratulations on the birth of your child. He is truly blessed to have such a warm and loving home to be born into. Good luck and enjoy the newst addition to the Palin household.
Congrats to the entire Palin family. Trig was certainly born into a wonderful family. Best wishes to the newly enlarged family.
Congratulations Palin family!
Congratulations to Mother Palin and God's Blessings upon our newest "First Alaskan".
I don't know if any of you read responses after leaving your comment, but here is my 2 cents. One person said "special challenges" are not created by God, either you have no understanding of special needs, or you don't believe in God. In case of the first, I have a child with Downs Syndrome. She is almost 6 years old, and she is truly our gift from God. There is no such thing as a bad day with her, her innocence and joy at life brighten any room she walks into. She has a knack for making everyone she comes into contact with feel special and puts a smile on every face. Yes Downs causes delays in learning and motor function, BUT every child is capable of learning. My daughter knew every letter of the alphabet, by sight and sound, her colors, numbers through 10 and shapes going INTO Kindergarten, which is more than some "normal" children know. So instead of criticizing, or feeling sorry for the Palins, congratulate them and give them your blessing as you would any other family that just had a child. Congratulations Governor, you and your family have truly been blessed!
i am impressed...and now i wonder what this strong woman in a powerful position will do..to bring attention to the disabled and the needs for QUALITY services from cradle to grave :)
Congrats to the Governor and Family.
I grew up around a family friend with Down's. As an adult, I now realize that his parents had special concerns to deal with. As a child, I never noticed a "disability", it was never pointed out by our parents.
I'm sure the Palins will do well raising young Trig to be a healthy strong man.
-RK
Congratulations Palin family. You have set a wonderful example & our family is really proud to have you as our governor.
Our hopes & prayers are with you & your family.
Congratulations to the Palin Family on their new arrival!! Sarah, you are such an inspiration for us all...God bless little Trig!
Congrats to her and her family. I have a question though: Why is she flying so late in her pregnancy? Most airlines have restrictions about flying late in a pregnancy, and she flew after she started having labor pains. She was taking quite a chance of having a baby on a plane.
What an amazing woman! I have always thought so, but am now quite sure. Flying after her water broke, I had my baby at home...I'm sure the airlines have all the emergency equipment if things had happened more quickly, atleast as much as was available at my home birth. Better in the air than Texas!! Sarah also made such a human decision when obviously there were other choices during the "early testing". She is such an incredible asset to Alaska. Best wishes for the future Sarah....and congratulations!!
Ive read that babies born on airplanes are considered to be "born" at the first place the plane touches down...the guv did what she had to do to keep that kid from being Texan; GET AIRBORN QUICK!
'Tex' Paxon Van Palin just wouldnt do...congratulations to the family.
My 10 yo old Down Syndrome son is a blessing and a joy to our family. the sky's the limit with these kids...yes more "elbow grease" and time to get from A to Z, but there is joy in the journey for all of us who are touched by these remarkable, lovable and guileless individuals. Every day is a new day for my son...with no mistakes... Alaska is a great state to bring up a child with this condition in particular...my son spends most of his time when out of school, roaming the family homestead, exploring in the woods, riding hay wagons or his bike and totally interacting with the community in which he lives. Loved and liked by all.
Congratulations on your addition and God bless you richly in the time ahead. You have a lovely family and your older children will be a great help to you...as my 3 teens are to me. ..there is a close bond within families and especially siblings who have a "special one" amongst them. Enjoy the ride!
Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.