Short on patience

I don't know why I'm so short on patience with the kids these days -- and not just Tobey the dawdler, but Eli the crier (and he probably doesn't even cry that much). Maybe it's because I'm sick of the kids being sick. Maybe it's because of the kids being sick then I'm relegated to just running errands or being housebound, as opposed to playdates and moms groups.

Whatever it is, I need to learn to have more patience because 1) it's a horrible existence being frustrated and impatient all the time and 2) I don't want the kids to have a crabby mom. I'm wondering if I just need to REALLY lower my expectations on how productive I can be, on how much of a rest/nap I'll get in the afternoon, on what my mommy social life will be this winter, on how much more energy I'll need to have in order to properly and fairly give attention to each of the kids.

I guess this is what we mean when Tobey really spoiled us on being an easy kid. Life with two is certainly less predictable.