Yay Rainbowzz! The final stretch (no pun!) I can't wait to see pictures of your little boy when he's here!

We've decided to go to a midwifery-run birth center instead of a hospital. We toyed with the idea of a home birth but it just seemed like more work than it was worth, but at the same time a hospital environment isn't appealing either. They listed most of the things above (chapstick, slippers/socks, something to wear in the birthing tub (ie, jacuzzi) if I don't want to be all nekkid in there, Depends or really thick pads, our own pillows if we decide to take a nap afterwards or spend the night there, camera, toothbrush, some CDs, and carseat/outfit for me and the baby for going home. They provide pretty much everything else. I'm not too concerned about having my own personal grooming amenities, and it's only 2 miles from my house if I forget anything.

And yes, my little girl is kicking really hard these days! I love to watch my belly "jump". I've been going to prenatal water aerobics and prenatal yoga and it's been a great source of support and friendship for me. Although I'm starting to get self-conscious - I still have 14 weeks to go and I'm already much bigger than most of the other women at my stage, although by the scale I'm right on-target with my weight gain. Go figure. Fortunately it's all in front, but still - the comments are getting annoying - "you must be due any day now!" or "you've GOT to be carrying twins!". No, and no. I haven't taken a childbirth class yet but we're signed up for hypnobirthing. Tomi - I think the left side is because your Vena Cava vein is slightly on the right side of your spine, so laying on your left reduces the chance of a blood pressure drop to you and the baby. Although these days, and maybe it's just here in this hippie crunchy region of mine, none of the doctors/midwives that I've spoken with are recommending labor while lying down - we're supposed to squat, stand or get on all fours. But I was warned about sleeping on my back - better to sleep on my left side, but the right side is ok too.

I'm glad that the baby is fine and hope your blood pressure settles down - thinking of you!