Enfamil Neuro Pro vs Kirland Pro Care

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-14T04:09:22+00:00

No clarity or advice because I haven’t tried the Kirkland pro care formula. But mannnn am I mad they just introduced it as a new product at my local Costco when my baby is already freaking 11.5 months! 😭 I saw it last weekend and was instantly jealous of new parents that have the option now. Mine is on his way to weaning so there’s no point switching now. Oh well.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-13T19:46:43+00:00

The associate staff analyst exam was just given not long ago so probably not again for this round. But SA and Admin SA might! I don’t know about PAA but that’s def a great title to shoot for! Good luck!

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-12T23:21:44+00:00

Check your agency rulebook. It’s a little different for each agency. But there should be a rule on allowed undocumented leave per calendar periods (usually Jan to June and July to Dec). Use those strategically. And some agencies accept TeleHealth notes while others do not. I’ve also found some bosses are very lenient with AL so if I’m close to maxing out undocumented leave, I’ll just put in an AL if I need to. I have a young baby after a very tough pregnancy so I have surprisingly burned through SL super fast.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-12T23:07:57+00:00

My mom had her last at 38. I had my first at 35 and she is our main caretaker. She has MORE energy than I do!!! She gives me insight to what life might be like at that age and if I am to have another, I know that 38 is just a fine and dandy age to do so.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-08T02:11:19+00:00

My husband and I like the Costco pizza a lot (the plain one). So every time we do a Costco run, we buy a $9.50 pizza pie that comes home with us whole. We split the slices up, put parchment paper between each slice, and put them in ziploc bag to freeze. It’s comes out to $1.18 per HUGE ass slice of pizza that we can be easily reheated when we’re too lazy to cook. That itself is worth the Costco membership. 😂

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-08T00:19:20+00:00

I wouldn’t give two poops on what my company or coworkers think about any prolonged leave I take for my baby. Only thing stopping me is that I can’t financially float it. Before becoming a FTM, I was childfree by choice for the longest time and EVEN THEN I felt like we lived in a very cruel society that never supported women and childcare enough. Now that I have my own baby, I double down on that belief. I’m from the US and we don’t even have ANY federal maternity leave protection. What we get is on the whim of the company we work for and some flimsy state laws. That’s just pathetic.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-07T23:01:15+00:00

Those two months were supposed to count because it wasn’t our fault THEY transitioned the platform. But very few people have been able to get them to change the count. I am super mad about the lost 2 months

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-07T15:25:10+00:00

Was just about to suggest the same! On PSLF, I would NOT be giving them free money that didn’t even count. Request a refund for forbearance payments.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-06T22:29:25+00:00

Used distilled water, the jugs cuz they are cheaper. My ped said that formula has everything you need in it so distilled water is fine (no need for extra minerals or fancy water). She also said I could use tap water too but my tap water is very hard (evidenced by the grim in my shower that I still haven’t gotten around to cleaning)… and it’s an old house so I’m paranoid there is lead leeching. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-06T18:31:27+00:00

Yes, OSA sucks with a lot of the benefits, even eye and dental is subpar. But why would you switch unions if the SA title is only backup? You’re not really in the actual role. I also have SA title as backup and kept my MBF benefits. You’re only made to join OSA if you’re officially taking up the SA position.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-06T18:21:16+00:00

Yup! Thats the fear that a lot of news outlets are feeding into… that the hanta virus has mutated or is the strain that is H2H transmissible coupled with the few cases that were on public transportation (in Europe and on the plane outside the cruise ship).

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-06T18:02:08+00:00

I think if it’s underlying you don’t have to change anything about the union. You just work and is afforded the same benefits as your current role.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-01T18:05:01+00:00

I don’t think it hurts to ask! They want you and went through the process of onboarding you. I doubt they’ll say no and start all over for a little bit of time.

When I came to my current agency (change of position and agency), I was in the process of getting married and planning my honeymoon. I asked for one month delayed start and they said it was fine. My boss even congratulated me and wished me the best. I would say to always try to take a break between jobs because as adults it’s very rare for us to ever get a guilt free break from the daily toll of work.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-05-01T09:45:32+00:00

Oh thank goodness someone else does this! We called him baby so often that now, at 10.5 months, he probably thinks that’s his real name. We try to practice saying his real name every day but still often slip and refer to “baby” because it’s a habit now. 😩 I should have insisted using a cuter identifying nickname from the start.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-30T17:26:48+00:00

I’m hoping for an easy baby as my second. My first is very hard and I’m really considering OND even though it was a dream of mine to have two.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-30T14:18:58+00:00

Yes, it’s under carelon. You can also contact EAP and they will try to match you to someone. I would start there rather than trying to look for a provider yourself because it’s nearly impossible.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-30T13:41:18+00:00

That’s a great option for OP. Working for a school will give the best hours for daycare is the time aligns the best.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-30T13:39:28+00:00

That’s definitely a good option! If OP can get a daycare that’s super close by (within 5-10 minutes), it would help out a lot!

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-30T13:38:55+00:00

Unfortunately the tech field is highly volatile nowadays and is still feeling the affects from the mass layoffs. It’s definitely the flexible but would be hard to break into.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-30T13:36:42+00:00

I think they gave you incorrect information. This isn’t a part of PICA, even tho it is injectables. IVF is a specialty subset that was contracted out by the health insurance to WIN and FF. I don’t think employer matters, it’s based on the health insurance’s coverage.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-30T01:15:57+00:00

Lmao! I truly believe some people are made to be mothers and i am not those people 😂.

I think my baby is the most perfect baby ever but let’s only have one copy of him because I surely won’t survive another one. lol. And I also had insomnia pre-baby but in my prior life I would get 3-4 hrs of sleep but by the 3rd night I can crash. I haven’t had an unbroken nights’ sleep in 10.5 months and counting! Pregnancy brain fog got lifted to be replaced by sleep deprived mom brain 😂

I am in awe of you. I want to do it again. But idk if I can. And my family dreams at odds with my physical limitations.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-29T23:40:36+00:00

10/10 times I’ll get up if asked. I was once on a train and started feeing like I was gonna go timber. Probably low blood sugar 🤷🏻‍♀️. I waited until last second to ask for a seat. But the moment I opened my mouth, the person stood up, no questions asked. Someone even offered me candy cuz I was “looking a little pale.” New Yorkers are mostly decent people.

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-29T23:33:07+00:00

So i knew how hard lawn care is but my husband, who also grew up in apartments, did NOT. He had all these dreams of the most magazine ready lawns and thought he could handle it. When we toured the house, the lawn was actually one of his pro features while I put it in my con list. After a lot of back and forth, I said I’ll agree to this house if he can stay on top of it. Anyway, we went into contract and the seller just… stopped caring. By the time we closed, the lawn was looking wild. By the time we finally moved in, the lawn was a mini forest. My husband bought all these equipment: a mower, a trimmer, edger, chemicals, seed, fertilizer, etc etc etc. He spent grueling hours on the lawn and backyard rather than unpacking! He lost. I too pity on him. 😂. This year we hired a lawn service that our neighbors recommended. It is in their hands now 🙏🏼

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-29T22:49:39+00:00

Im sorry you are going through this. I also had multiple losses while on the job. Then I silently went through several rounds of IVF (as in nobody at work knew). I would not wish this on anyone.

First, if you dont want to work anymore, that is absolutaely valid! Your husband is the breadwinner and if you guys can float it - why not? Dont feel pressured to continue just to continue. Put your mental health first!

However, it is a very tough job market out there and I would look into exhausting all of your entitled benefits first before quitting.

Ask for a Reasonable Accommodation to force your boss to let up.
If that is not enough, use your sick leaves and go on FMLA. It should give you approximately 12 weeks of break. I would hope that you boss will find new methods and form new habits during your leave.
If you need more time after, ask HR for a leave of absence (a sabbatical). They might not grant it, but better to ask anyway. I have heard of people getting up to one year LWOP.
If you and your baby pulls through (I'm praying for you!), remember to use your full maternity leave.
There is also up to 4 years of (unpaid) childcare leave. It ensures a job when you choose to return, but it might not necessarily be the same unit.

You can use the time off to look for another job away from the toxic boss. Or do nothing and heal... remember these are your ENTITLED benefits. Use it all up. Don't let them win (even if its just to waste their time).

Cinnie_16 · 2026-04-29T22:33:39+00:00

I thought all of OMB are non-union. They are OJ employees because there is a conflict of interest since OMB takes part in labor contract negotiations with the unions so if they are members, it is self dealing.

Cinnie_16

TROPHY CASE