Cloth Diapering

Justin and I have, in an effort to save $$$ decided to try cloth diapers. I know what you're thinking...but cloth diapers have come a LOOOOOOONG way from the giant safety pins and hideous plastic covers our mom's used. They are really adorable, pretty much self contained and just as easy to use as disposables. I've done a ton of research and asked countless mom's that are using them and have decided to go with the BumGenius 3.0. Here's a picture:I am just in awe of the craftsmanship. They have adjustable snaps that convert them to different sizes so that one stash of diapers will last you from 7 lbs infant thru potty training! Mom's that use them say that they are just wonderful. They leak less and don't cause diaper rash. And they are really just so cute, and SOFT!
How they work: You choose the size that best fits your kiddo and adjust the snaps to fit. Then you insert the liner, a thick absorbent pad that goes in between the inner and outer layer of the diaper (if you have a heavy wetter you can double the pads for more absorbency). When you change them you just pull out the liner and drop it and the diaper into the pail (any solids you just knock off into the potty and flush). ALL of that then goes right into the washing machine! I have heard they hold up best if you line dry the covers and machine dry the liners.
They cost about $18 for each diaper. So yes, the initial start up cost is hefty. But in the long run, on average, the savings add up to about $2500 over the total time your child is in diapers. And that's just one child, don't forget you can use them for baby #2 as well! Not to even mention how much better they are for the environment than disposables. And then there is the added bonus of not having to run to the store b/c you've run out of diapers.
It is a little more work, and a little more icky and I'm not 100% certain it's going to work out for us. But we're definitely going to give it a shot. I'm thinking we'll start with a just few BG 3.0 and see how we like them and slowly build our stash while supplementing with disposables...unless we just LOVE them to death and decide to go ahead and buy a bunch at once. And I am sure we will still have occasion to use disposables because of their convenience.
So far though I am really excited about them and I hope and pray they work out for us. I'm glad that Justin is on board, and I am very surprised at how little it took to convince him.
But what I am MOST thrilled about today...I FOUND THEM AT TARGET!!!! I've only seen them online until now. Being able to touch them and see for myself just how they work really got me pumped to use them.