On the "Right to Fight"

Ive been thinking about this a lot recently, especially when it comes to birth parents.
Every child we have cared for in our home has been a wonderful blessing. They have each taught me something, and S made me a mommy.
We went through a long 3.5 year battle with S's birthmom. She has no capibility to parent him, yet she was able to drag it out for over 3 years. Why? Because she had the right to fight.
M's birthmom and maternal grandma want us to adopt her. M's birthdad, who has been told he has no chance of getting custody, is digging in his heels and making it go to court.. Because he, as nothing more then a sperm donor, has the right to fight.
Well, what about the child's rights? M has been with us for 10 months. Doesn't she have the right to stay where she is safe, loved, protected and provided for? We have had her since she was 4 months old, we are all she knows. She has the right to stay with us.
So, who's rights are more important?
The birth father?
Ours?
Or M's?
No matter which way it goes, someone will be hurt.
If he gets custody, I honestly don't know what I will do. I will be a mess for awhile. but in time I will pick up the peices, and be ready to go again. But I would worry about her for the rest of my life.
If we get crownward.. he loses his legal rights to his daughter.
There is no winning.
I wish my birthmom would fight to have me in her life the way these birth parents fight for their children.
But I am so thankful for my incredible parents... My mom is one of my best friends, and it makes it a little easier to know that she has been though what Ive been though..

I just want to sleep..

To All the moms out there...
Out of sheer desperation I am turning to you all for help.. My 1 yr old daughter is still not sleeping through the night. And I just don't know what to do about it. We've tried letting her cry it out, but I just can't do it. Its so mean and it goes against everything I stand for as a mom. I don't think she is waking out of habit because she is still taking a whole bottle (yes, she is on formula right now, its half formula half whole milk) and its not at the same time every night.
She naps for about 2 hours during the day, and has no problem going to sleep at bed time... but Im beginning to think this waking at night will never stop.
So moms, when did your little ones start sleeping the night? How did you get them to do it?
Any hints, or tips would be appreciated!

*please note that the issue of formula/milk is not the point of this post. The point is getting little Princess to sleep the night. So lets keep the focus there. Thank You*