Changes

Palin has been widely praised among conservatives for acting on her [[pro-life]] beliefs in the case of her youngest son, Trig, who was diagnosed with [[Down syndrome]] in the fourth month of her pregnancy. After researching the condition, she and her husband agreed to continue to pregnancy:

Palin has been widely praised among conservatives for acting on her [[pro-life]] beliefs in the case of her youngest son, Trig, who was diagnosed with [[Down syndrome]] in the fourth month of her pregnancy. After researching the condition, she and her husband agreed to continue to pregnancy:

:"[My husband Todd said,] we shouldn't be asking 'Why us?' We should be saying 'Well, why not us?' We've both been very vocal about being pro life. We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential. I'm looking at him right now, and I see perfection. Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, what is normal and what is perfect?"<ref>[http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2008/05/gov-sarah-palin.html Gov. Sarah Palin discusses son Trig's Down syndrome diagnosis] ''People'' magazine, celebrity baby blog, May 3, 2008]</ref><ref>[http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=29242 Canadian Doctors 'Fear' Sarah Palin's Choice May Start a Trend] Baklinski, Thaddeus M., September 11, 2008, Catholic Online</ref>

:"[My husband Todd said,] we shouldn't be asking 'Why us?' We should be saying 'Well, why not us?' We've both been very vocal about being pro life. We understand that every innocent life has wonderful potential. I'm looking at him right now, and I see perfection. Yeah, he has an extra chromosome. I keep thinking, in our world, what is normal and what is perfect?"<ref>[http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2008/05/gov-sarah-palin.html Gov. Sarah Palin discusses son Trig's Down syndrome diagnosis] ''People'' magazine, celebrity baby blog, May 3, 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=29242 Canadian Doctors 'Fear' Sarah Palin's Choice May Start a Trend] Baklinski, Thaddeus M., September 11, 2008, Catholic Online</ref>

Trig was born on April 18, 2008, four months before his mother was announced as the vice-presidential candidate. Palin wrote:

Trig was born on April 18, 2008, four months before his mother was announced as the vice-presidential candidate. Palin wrote:

:"This new person in your life can help everyone put things in perspective and bind us together, and get everyone focused on what really matters ... Those who love him will think less about self and focus less on what the world tells [us] is 'normal' or 'perfect.'"<ref name="people">[[People magazine]]</ref>

:"This new person in your life can help everyone put things in perspective and bind us together, and get everyone focused on what really matters ... Those who love him will think less about self and focus less on what the world tells [us] is 'normal' or 'perfect.'"<ref>[http://motherjones.com/files/birth_of_trig.pdf Birth of Trig]</ref>

:"It's a sign of the times to be able to do this," she said. "I can think of so many male candidates who watched a families grow while they were in office. There is no reason to believe a woman can't do it with a growing family. My baby will not be at all or in any sense neglected."<ref>Alaska governor balances newborn's needs, official duties [http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-05-10-4082128881_x.htm]</ref>

:"It's a sign of the times to be able to do this," she said. "I can think of so many male candidates who watched a families grow while they were in office. There is no reason to believe a woman can't do it with a growing family. My baby will not be at all or in any sense neglected."<ref>[http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-05-10-4082128881_x.htm Alaska governor balances newborn's needs, official duties] Quinn, Steve, May 5, 2008, ''USAToday''</ref>

In September of 2008, Palin announced that her daughter Bristol was five months pregnant. After having been given the choice, Bristol bravely chose to keep the child. Palin stated "We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents."<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080901/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_palin_daughter Palin says 17-year-old daughter is pregnant]</ref> Bristol has since gone on to promote abstinence as a realistic choice for teenagers, stating, "[A]bstinence is the only way you can effectively, 100% foolproof way you can prevent pregnancy."<ref>http://www.lifenews.com/nat5025.html</ref>  On July 14, 2010 Bristol Palin announced that she and Levi Johnston had become re-engaged and wanted to be married as soon as possible. <ref>[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/07/bristol-palin-levi-johnston-are-engaged/1 USA Today; Bristol Palin, Levi Johnston are engaged. Jul 14, 2010]</ref> Two weeks later Bristol said the reconciliation was over. <ref>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20407608,00.html People Magazine interview; August 3, 2010]</ref>  

In September of 2008, Palin announced that her daughter Bristol was five months pregnant.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/09/01/us-usa-politics-palin-idUSN2944356420080901 Palin rebuts rumors, says daughter pregnant] Holland, Steve, September 1, 2008, reuters.com, retrieved August 20, 2011</ref> After having been given the choice, Bristol bravely chose to keep the child. Palin stated "We're proud of Bristol's decision to have her baby and even prouder to become grandparents."<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-502163_162-4404184-502163.html Palin's Daughter Pregnant] Ververs, Vaughn, September 1, 2008, cbsnews.com</ref> Bristol has since gone on to promote abstinence as a realistic choice for teenagers, stating, "[A]bstinence is the only way you can effectively, 100% foolproof way you can prevent pregnancy."<ref>http://www.lifenews.com/nat5025.html</ref>  On July 14, 2010 Bristol Palin announced that she and Levi Johnston had become re-engaged and wanted to be married as soon as possible. <ref>[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/07/bristol-palin-levi-johnston-are-engaged/1 USA Today; Bristol Palin, Levi Johnston are engaged. Jul 14, 2010]</ref> Two weeks later Bristol said the reconciliation was over. <ref>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20407608,00.html People Magazine interview; August 3, 2010]</ref>  

[[Image:Palin Family..jpg|thumb|left|Palin family members at the announcement of Palin's vice presidential selection, August 29, 2008. From left: Todd, Piper, Willow, Bristol, and Trig.]]

[[Image:Palin Family..jpg|thumb|left|Palin family members at the announcement of Palin's vice presidential selection, August 29, 2008. From left: Todd, Piper, Willow, Bristol, and Trig.]]