Things are Getting Serious...Contemplating Diapers

It's my sister's fault. She actually beat me to the research & shopping in the diaper department in preparation for her coming baby, so it goes without saying that I had to jump on the bandwagon, and quickly (digression: I always have a strong visual image of literally jumping onto a bandwagon when I use that expression, and it makes me laugh a little internally). Anyway...it was pretty much a given for us to plan on using cloth diapers (hear the cloth diaper advocates cheer, and the convenience-oriented "realists" shake their heads at my naivety...) - I've been reading, of course, about all the options and pros and cons of every possible diapering solution, and from different perspectives as much as possible (although pretty much every cloth vs. disposable link is pro-cloth...). The arguments (and sample calculations) showing the cost savings of cloth (even when factoring in hot water use) AND the environmental implications (even when factoring in water and energy conservation) were convincing...and then I started browsing the cloth diaper websites. And oh, the colours and patterns and styles. It's like a whole new wardrobing opportunity for babies & toddlers - involving guilt-free shopping since they're an absolute necessity! So, I've ordered samples of various styles - mostly one-size as we don't know the ages and sizes our babies will be when we meet them - and they're starting to trickle in. The cow-print Happy Heinys one-size is very cute, and I'm so curious to see the Evolution gnome print (one of my exceptions that was ordered from the USA rather than Canada). The Mommy's Touch Easy Clean in Jungle Safari will hopefully be as great as I expect it to be, and the fun colours of the Whamies, Baby Kanga, Bum Genius, and Rumparooz are hopefully worth the wait. But...nothing is likely to compare with the first of the oh, so lovely Berryplush animal prints that have arrived - the loveliest, softest possible plush outside, with the softest ever "soaker" lining - and in fabulous jaguar and leopard prints!!! Who would have thought diapers could be such fun...at least before actually having to deal with them and launder them every couple of days. Now here's a frightening thought - with two babies or baby/toddler in diapers, we need two full sets at a recommended minimum of 24 diapers each - depending how often we feel like doing the laundry. That's between 50 and 60 or so diapers. At least at that rate, I can definitely try out pretty much all of my favourite colours and styles...