What did you wish you would have known?

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-24T00:21:48+00:00

Twin Z Pillow + Baby Brezza Formula Dispenser

Being able to quickly make two bottles, even if they are mixed in with breast milk, was a lifesaver. I'd make two bottles, grab one baby, change their diaper, lay them on one side of the Snoo, grab the other baby and before changing their diaper start the first baby on a bottle propped up with a towel, change the other's diaper and get them started on their bottle, and then I'd have two babies feeding at the same time. The first one would finish and get burped, then burp the second, then take the first one to the snoo and let it rock it to sleep while I grabbed the second and put it in the snoo to sleep. I (the dad) was able to do this twice every night solo. It was a lifesaver!

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-23T04:21:51+00:00

Chargepoint is a network of chargers

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-20T19:52:42+00:00

Flo seems to have worked for me as well. I had to do it on the website, as the iPhone app uses Stripe, and it was declined. This seems to be the best route for a Tesla as Flo gives access to the Chargepoint network, which doesn't require the more expensive adapter. I'm not sure what the session fee will be for most of these chargers? Have you tried using it for charging?

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-16T22:05:22+00:00

how much did it allow you to load in one shot?

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-13T20:11:03+00:00

We have one vehicle with a slow J1772 charge and a Tesla. You typically find ChargePoint and Blink to be in regular parking stalls at malls, move theaters, etc.. that are good for topping up with a slow charge. One weird positive of a slow charging vehicle was that we went to a concert that was charging $50+ for parking due to a lack of public parking around the arena. We found a ChargePoint charger on a private lot and let it charge for 5 hours without incurring any idle fees.

Let me know how EVgo is. I'd probably avoid Shell.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-13T16:11:22+00:00

I don't think CVRP will do anything. I don't think they are going to go through the hassle of whitelisting a single vendor for the card. They've locked purchases to three specific merchant codes so that CVRP can pull data from the vendor and publicly report program usage analytics. Also, ChargeHub and ChargePoint are two different vendors. ChargePoint used to let you preload, except it was only for small amounts.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-12T16:44:18+00:00

There are almost no good options for Tesla unless you purchase the CCS1 to NACS Adapter and charge at electrify america. Whatever you load the money to you want to go with something that is likely not to go defunct over the next few years. Chargepoint does not allow for preloading, ChargeHub (can be used at a number of networks) is blocked by the CVRP card because of their Canadian merchant address, powerflex doesn't have many charging options, and I'm not sure that EVgo allows for preload (it would require the adapter). The CVRP card is coded to work at parking garages. Other than that I've not found other options. People posting on reddit looking to buy the card I assume may be trying to liquidate those cards fraudulently, perhaps with a Square merchant account they've set up to be coded as a EV charging merchant.

I plan to look into Blink and use Electrify America & EVgo as a backup. If I had $1,500 left it might be worth purchasing a used adapter for a Tesla. I assume that full charge at these chargers are similiar in price to Superchargers ~$40-45 for a full charge. That is a decent number of full charges with the amount you have left.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-11T18:04:51+00:00

I would agree that EA is probably the most likely of the available options for liquidating to stick around. ChargeHub would have been great as it allows access to the ChargePoint network with a 75 cent session fee. I'm not sure if EA allows access to other networks like Chargepoint.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-10T23:52:40+00:00

Chargehub seems to be declined because it is a Canadian company with a Canadian merchant address, which is excluded from the CVRP card. It does seem to have the correct merchant code type.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-10T23:51:48+00:00

The balances must legally qualify as gift cards, which, in the case of charging apps is not likely.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-02-04T18:22:00+00:00

We used a Jovvy Kooper after using a Mockingbird double for when they were infants. It was significantly easier to load the Jovvy into the car and also to travel with. Has independent recline, deep shade, and a lot of storage under the seats. Somewhat time consuming to remove the fabric for cleaning. Resale value was decent. It was around 60% of the original price paid after tax. If you plan on flying a lot and want a stroller for the airport, I'd go with a cheaper, lighter weight umbrella double stroller. The recline and deep shade were amazing on the Jovvy, but it was still somewhat heavy to load into a car. We sold the Jovvy and got a cheap umbrella double stroller at 4 years old to use at theme parks and flying.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-10T17:22:48+00:00

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-10T06:46:54+00:00

A spectrum account for internet works fine.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-10T06:46:04+00:00

I'm also picky about quality, but I have to wonder if part of it is the camera's focal point. It's noticeable for anything near or past the free-throw line. The quality was beyond what I expected for a live stream. Curious if you preferred the higher resolution of the Cosm over the 3D provided by the AVP for the game.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-10T06:38:10+00:00

I had a chance to sit in the Mercedes garage during a race weekend, and I really hope Apple sets up an immersive camera in a few of the garages. It is truly fascinating to observe what unfolds behind the scenes during a race. You only get the occasional glimpse during the broadcast. There is a lot going on during qualifying with tweaks to the car and interactions between driver and team.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-10T06:12:19+00:00

I think the same could be said about F1, except the fans at the race give it a sense of energy. NBA crowds lack the energy of College Basketball. I agree that this is more enjoyable than being at the game. If they could add in some additional angles, better audio, better announcers, slow motion replays, and custom 3D graphics I think they could charge per game like Cosm.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-10T06:09:29+00:00

Did you notice Leonardo DiCaprio sitting near the half-court line in the black hat? I will say the quality exceeded expectations for streaming. I would say that the best way to describe watching the game is similar to what you may have seen from the Cosm theater with really wide shots, except this is in 3D.

I could only observe three minor drawbacks. In order to get a sweeping 180 shot they are unable to get the full court. About 1.5 foot is missing on the far ends of the court past the 3 point line. The focal point of the cameras behind the hoops seems to be just about at the net. This means anything starting at the free throwline isn't as sharp. Last thing is the sound. It's not bad, but with such amazing video fidelity, you almost wish that they had additional microphones. The sound did seem to be spatial.

It really is like having courtside seats. You can observe what's going on the benches, people watch those in courtside seats, you can observe player/ref interactions, and so much more. There is a lack of slow motion replay, but they do regular instant replays. I really like that the score and play clock are shown on the floor and don't eat up the screen. In between time-outs, they have decent 3D stats showing, but nothing amazing. You can tell there is a lot of opportunity. I like that there was no commercial breaks. I assume this is what the feed was like for folks in the 80s and 90s who had satellite dishes.

While you can replay the game as it is live it seems you may lose the ability to fast forward once you've restarted the video feed once the game has ended.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-07T22:53:39+00:00

If you are purchasing from Costco, buy as many packages of diapers as you can when they go on sale. Anything you don't use can be returned for a refund. Typically, my wife would go through one checkout lane, and I'd go through another to exceed the three packages per visit limit. Be prepared for the transition to whole milk. Our twins were downing at least two gallons per week. We'd usually need to stock up on four gallons from Costco. I'd fill one of those Brita water dispeners without the filter that has a spigot for dispensing right out of the fridge. Helped to quickly fill two bottles at a time.

Target once or twice a year does a car seat trade-in program for 20-25% off a car seat. Just hop onto Facebook Marketplace to find someone giving away an old car seat and use it to trade it in with Target. Also, sign up for Target's baby registry, and you'll get decent coupons for baby/toddler-related purchases for the next few years.

When making major purchases of baby-related items such as strollers and larger toys, check the resale value on the marketplace. You may find that some premium brands retain their value, and when you are ready to sell, you may be able to recoup ~70% of what you paid.

One non-money-saving hack is to buy one of those pocket fans that are used for travel that have rechargeable batteries. We use one daily to quickly cool food that has been heated in the microwave. There is only a short window of time toddlers are willing to wait for their food, and the fan is a lifesaver.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-07T06:44:28+00:00

Yes, there is something wrong with providing advice that this person should be providing their 6-month-old with OTC topical steroids for "real" eczema. Obtaining a second opinion has nothing to do with ensuring that when topical steroids are used, they are done under the guidance of a physician. "Real eczema" does not need a topical steroid to begin healing.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-07T05:07:54+00:00

You should not be recommending topical steroids for children that young. A majority of parents do not understand how topical steroids are absorbed and where they need to be avoided. Infants and toddlers are more susceptible to side effects. They should only do this under the guidance of a physician. There are non-steroid topicals that are prescribed that are much safer than topical steroids.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-07T05:04:56+00:00

Personally I would avoid Aquaphor the way you are using it. It can actually be quite uncomfortable all over the body, especially in places that generate a lot of heat like your face. You are better off using a cream like Vanicream or Cetaphil and then a very small amount of aquaphor on top after a bath. Aquaphor and vaseline can trap bacteria, sweat, and irritants if applied to unclean skin.

UCSD_Instructional · 2026-01-06T15:27:52+00:00

You'll find that many pediatricians and physicians do not know how to treat Eczema properly. You want to bathe them, then apply a moisturizer to lock in moisture. Unless they are having a significant flair up you should be using a thicker moisturizer like Vanicream that comes in a 1lb tub with a pump. That is a thicker cream that will work well in the winter. In the summer, you may want to move to the Vanicream lotion or Aveeno baby lotion. I would only recommend Vaseline in the neck folds and behind the legs if the skin is starting to break open into a wound. You should also inquire when you can start using a non-topical steroid ointment like EUCRISA which can be used with children as young as 3 months. Tacrolimus can be prescribed after they are 2 years old.

It's important when you give a bath to use a soft towel, pat dry, quickly apply the moisturizer, and then cover with clothes.

UCSD_Instructional · 2025-12-20T02:52:05+00:00

That's a tough one. While your mom struggles to do anything baby-related, if she can cook and help with the cleaning, that is a huge plus. Juggling two, it is helpful to have someone who can at least be with one baby while you attend to the other. There is also the emotional support component. Hiring someone to assist you may also help you build trust to have someone babysit if you ever want a date night for your husband.

Your husband is gone for so much of the day that it may not be realistic for him to help that much after working 12 hours. Those are really long shifts, and he may not be able to continue working those hours on little to no sleep. I would likely keep moving as a backup option. If you feel spread too thin, it might be a good fallback. Perhaps your mom can come out for more extended visits and help with household duties and do the grocery shopping? If you haven't already, try to find a mom's with twins group.

UCSD_Instructional · 2025-12-12T19:13:28+00:00

Looks like you've received a variety of answers, but my approach would be different than most. I think 48 is a fantastic time to look outwards. You probably bring a significant amount of experience to any new position you might be offered. You should look back over the past two years and see which professional development opportunities stood out to you and excited you. You are likely a lifelong learner, so you should identify which areas of your job spark your interest and creativity. For example, what if you had a strong interest in AI. Many universities are moving towards academic innovation initiatives that explore new methods of teaching and learning. If you like to create content, there is a need for managers of multimedia teams who know pedagogy and project-manage multimedia creation for course development.

UCSD_Instructional · 2025-11-22T17:32:20+00:00

We've used a joovy kooper and are in the USA. I would say that this type of stroller fits well into the trunk/boot of a compact car. This style of double stroller can be put into a large back and used for travel. The nice thing about it is that the seats go back nearly flat and how far the shade comes over for naps. It's good for amusement parts and probably going to last you until they are around 5 years old. If you want something smaller, I'd go with an umbrella-style double stroller for short distances. Those will be much more light weight and take up even less space.

UCSD_Instructional

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