Hitting the Wall

Well, we have discovered that our little guy does not mind airplanes and digs flying business class and the food. What he DOES NOT LIKE is waking at 4 in the morning and getting his sleep (naps) interupted. He had the biggest meltdown in the van driving from the Hanoi airport to the embassy. He just cannot handle not getting his regular sleep (2.5 hours a day) . The meltdown continued from 10 in the morning to bedtime with him being extremely clingy with mama. We truly felt helpless. The more he connects to us, the more he needs us....and puttin him to bed last night was impossible, with him being so overtired. He only sleeps in moving things, like packs, cars, etc, so that means I hold him and sing to him for hours and hours, and once I lay him down, he wakes instantly and won't put up with not being picked up. Then I pick him up and he scratches and thrashes at me with such anger, that last night he almost broke my nose with a head whip!! He is a Dog in Chinese/Vietnamese astrology, just like his mama and if there is one thing we hate, it's the feeling of being vulnerable. I think I get it, but we were so distraught last night with me and Zien crying helplessly and Scott being the strong one for all of us, that we took him to the Western medical clinic today to make sure he wasn't cutting more teeth, have a temp, etc. What we got was good old fashioned parenting advice, with a Vietnamese twist. When the doctor met him in the clinic, she immediately recognized his strong personality and his age of 15 months can make for a real challenge. Nothing really to do with his former life in the orphanage. He is healthy as a horse, and put on 2 pounds in less than a week with us, so he is relaxed! He had no temp, but is cutting more teeth. All in all, a perfect bill of health. She just assured us to follow his lead, as he recognizes us as his family now. We sort of were figuring this out, as he will only eat now if we are eating, and he will only go to bed (barely) if we are in bed. WE have finally decided to enjoy our son and follow his lead. WE will eat as family, hang as family, and make sure he has major naps during the day. Today we woke up and he is a different boy. He slept like a monster in his pack as we walked the city and had lunch out in a restaurant . He was an angel. We got back to the room and he let me lay him down on the bed from the pack and DID NOT freak out as per normal. A true miracle. He played peek a boo, kicked balls, and is now on my lap stuffing his face with cherrios, quiche, and bananas. Bye bye clean house.....