Alaska governor has baby with Down syndrome

[Guest guest]

April 18, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska - Governor Palin and her

husband Todd welcomed the arrival of their fifth child this morning.

The Palins were thankful that the Governor's labor began yesterday

while she was in Texas at the Governor's Energy Conference where she

gave the keynote luncheon address, but let up enough for her to

travel on Alaska Airlines back to Alaska in time to deliver her

second son.

Trig Paxson Van Palin was born at 6:30 a.m. and weighs six pounds,

two ounces. The Governor and Trig are both doing well and resting

comfortably.

The family 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. "

The Palins have four other children including Track, 18, Bristol, 17,

Willow, 13 and Piper, 7.