The Vicious Cycle

So do you have a coffee maker in your kitchen?
I do.
For me, it's an evil contraption. Instigator, author, and gatekeeper of a vicious caffeine cycle.
So here's what happens.
I have two minis, ages almost 2 and 5. They are beautiful, loving, amazing little creatures. I'd definitely jump in front of a bus for them. HOWEVER, it takes a TON of energy to keep on keepin' on with two minis, a nearly full time job outside of home, a biz of my own, and a Pappa D to look after. Not to mention upkeep of the abode that houses us all. Whew. Exhausts me just to think about it. BRB, I need a drink of coffee.
Every now and then I rely on a crutch. It looks BEAUTIFUL from the outside. Ahh, lovely caffeine. Can't you just see your favorite caffeinated beverage in its glorious outer packaging?
Now let me also set up the story this way. I have been nursing or pregnant or both since July of 2004. So I truly don't indulge in caffeine too terribly often these days... or these years ... nearly decades it seems. The between the lines there is the fact that it doesn't take much to get me zinging off the walls.
At any rate, yesterday I may have overdone it a bit. Zing zing.
Coffee in the morning. Yum. Just for that tiny little extra bit of zing. Zing. zing. Yawn. Then I had a bit of Dr. Pepper at lunch time. Just 32 oz or so. And only one refill. Of another 32 ounces. At about 2PM.
My usual cut-off for caffeine is around 10AM. Which only stands to reason since they say the peak of caffeine effects is about 8 hours in. And I usually hit the sack at about 8PM. No, really. I do. Not on purpose. But there's this thing that happens if I sit still for more than 10 or 15 minutes to watch TV, read, snuggle with a mini. Zonk. As opposed to zing.
So... I was up a good two thirds of the night last night. Because of too much caffeine. Which was administered to keep me from falling alseep during the day when I had too much to do. So.
This morning I am SO TIRED. I really need to get some good sleep tonight.
Meanwhile, I'll be okay after a cup of coffee.
Or two.