sounds alot like my cats, I have five, ages 5 months to 21/2 years old. and one of them, Emma is like you described, she will let me hold her as long as I am walking or standing up. if I sit down she stays for a minute then wants down, but sill circle around me wanting to be petted. they all follow me around. 2 others will let me hold them for a few minutes,then they want to be let down. so it is normal, your cats are just being cats! sometimes as they get older they might settle down, Im not too sure since Ihave never had an older cat. and not sleeping or meowing at 5 AM is normal too! just be patient and pet them and give them treats, they love you or they wouldnt follow you around!