Sarah Palin's middle child, daughter Willow, has been mistaken for eldest daughter Bristol in recent weeks. The 14-year-old brunette, familiar face on the campaign trail and frequent holder of baby Trig is shown in AP the photos below
NEW SLIDESHOW (updated again Oct.15)
SLIDESHOW (photos preceding September 15th, 2008):
More Willow Palin pictures on Meghan McCain's blog
Willow noticed baby brother Trig's down syndrome, despite the fact she wasn't told in advance, her mom told People:
Initially Palin hid her pregnancy - and her pain - from both the public and her children, son Track, now 19, and daughters Bristol, 17, Willow, 14, and Piper, 7.
"Not knowing in my own heart if I was going to be ready to embrace a child with special needs," she reveals, "I couldn't talk about it."
On April 18, 2008, Palin gave birth to 6-lb, 2-oz. Trig, five weeks early. As Todd and their three daughters gathered around the bedside (Track, an Army private, listened in by phone from his base in Fairbanks), Willow said of the new arrival, "He looks like he has Down syndrome."
Palin, who says her own qualms were laid to rest "the minute [Trig] was born," felt a lump in her throat. "If he does, you know you will still love him, Willow. It'll be okay."
Willow pressed: "But why didn't you tell us?"
Palin admitted she didn't know how to break the news. "I was a little shocked," says Willow "but I don't care - he's my brother and I love him."
Photos of Levi Johnston's tattoo
Some Bristol Palin photos
See Piper Palin photos from the RNC
See Track Palin photos, Sarah Palin's oldest child.
More Willow Palin and some Willow Palin photos