diff --git a/res/layout/message_recieved.xml b/res/layout/message_recieved.xml
index 6e4577fb4..3b3df9e85 100644
--- a/res/layout/message_recieved.xml
+++ b/res/layout/message_recieved.xml
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@
             android:layout_height="fill_parent"
             android:background="#ededed"
             android:orientation="vertical"
-            android:padding="5dp" >
+            android:gravity="center_vertical"
+            android:padding="3dp" >
 
             <ImageView 
                 android:id="@+id/message_image"
@@ -70,7 +71,6 @@
                     android:layout_height="wrap_content"
                     android:layout_gravity="center_vertical"
                     android:gravity="center_vertical"
-                    android:paddingTop="1dp"
                     android:text="@string/sending"
                     android:textColor="#8e8e8e"
                     android:textSize="12sp" />
diff --git a/res/layout/message_sent.xml b/res/layout/message_sent.xml
index ebba6ac55..fbc958982 100644
--- a/res/layout/message_sent.xml
+++ b/res/layout/message_sent.xml
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@
             android:layout_height="fill_parent"
             android:background="#ededed"
             android:orientation="vertical"
-            android:padding="5dp" >
+            android:gravity="center_vertical"
+            android:padding="3dp" >
             
             <ImageView 
                 android:id="@+id/message_image"
@@ -52,7 +53,6 @@
                     android:layout_height="wrap_content"
                     android:layout_gravity="center_vertical"
                     android:gravity="center_vertical"
-                    android:paddingTop="1dp"
                     android:text="@string/sending"
                     android:textColor="#8e8e8e"
                     android:textSize="12sp" />