oh, well if cloth nappies are the preferred option in hospital then i guess i'll go along with them too! i might chuck a few disposables in the baby's bag as well (she has lots of spare room in hers because her clothes are SO small!!) just in case i get frustrated with the cloth ones for some reason...

kirsten - yes, i was told that i was having a girl at my 19-week scan. i asked the sonographer how sure she was and she said "about 99%", so i hope she was right... not that the sex matters that much, except that i have a house FULL of pink outfits!!
sorry to hear about the colds that have struck you all down.. i have been VERY lucky and haven't been sick AT ALL this year... well, not a cold or flu - i've had the usual preggi complaints, but even they have been very mild... i hope my luck continues! i know that i'll be absolutely beside myself the first time my baby is sick - i bet i'll want to rush her to hospital with every cough and sniffle!!

Mel - okay, i am one of the biggest culprits for buying the baby outfits (would buy lots online when i was working and get them delivered - he he he!!), but i've ALSO got a lot of gifts, so i'm blaming other people's generosity for the gross surplus!! i had to tell my mum last week to STOP buying me baby clothes!! i thought i would never hear those words from my mouth.. but she buys really lovely (and pricey) outfits, and i was starting to feel too guilty and worry that they would never get worn!!
yes, i thought about the big pads being more comfy (ie. lots of cushioning).. i have kotex, stayfree and libra so will give them all a bash before sending my DH on his way!! i must say, as i stood there studying all of the sanitary ware i saw some Teena undies (like nappies for incontinent women i guess).. i was thinking - they could be very handy for wearning to bed at night the first few nights... but i didn't have enough guts to pick them up and read the packet... i wonder whether they would work for blood as well - i assume that they would because surely the volume of blood that i'll be losing won't be as high as the volume of urine that we output... hhmmmnn, might have to do some research!!

relle - i'm sure that you'll pick up lots of clients in no time!! i have my cabrini antenatal classes starting this sunday and will keep my ears *****ed up for anyone looking for a doula!!

ok, well the carpets are laid and look fantastic!! i'm just about to get started on the nursery - wipe down the skirting boards, window sill, and inside the wardrobe and then get to work setting it all up!! i suspect i will not get to bed until late tonight.. not that it matters at all with my new-found freedom of maternity leave!!