refusing afternoon nap

my ds, who is almost 14 months old, has been refusing his afternoon
nap for 2 weeks now. I have tried to let him cry it out but it doesn't
work. he will cry for over and hour and a half and only gets more
upset vs. sleepy. i am starting to lose it after having to listen to
him cry so hard and not getting any time to myself.

he is still taking his morning nap and goes to bed at night very
easily. however, he is starting to wake up at 4:30'ish in the am a few
times of the week too.

what shall i do? one thing i have read is to put him down later and
later everyday for his morning nap and then put him to bed at night
earlier. then he will eventually be down to one nap around mid
afternoon.

did your children do this? any suggestions?

help!!!

kim