thanks, mickyc -- i can't afford to take time off until christmas :-(. the thing is that even when i have time off i still am the primary caregiver for my own children so don't really get a break.
i think i will make an effort to get out of the house several evenings in the next few weeks and try to re-charge that way.

my 2.5 year old is particularly taxing at the moment but is otherwise a really sweet kid so i don't want to get rid of him.

maybe a book or two about toddler development and age appropriate expectations could help? does anyone have any book suggestions?