So it seems like there's always something going on to disrupt the sleep pattern. (That is, if you think that being on the same schedule for 2 days in a row constitutes a pattern.) Maybe teething. Maybe hunger. Maybe a tummy ache. Or possibly a loud rainstorm. Perhaps a cold spell. Sometimes even an unexpectedly sunny morning.
And then there's the disruptive sleep due to overloaded neural development that comes with experiencing so many new things every single day. If you think it's hard to unwind, to debrief after a superbly stimulating day, just multiply that by 100 and you've got Jake's world. (It's also pretty apparent that his brain doesn't "turn off" when he sleeps -- too many newly developed neuromuscular pathways to cement, representing new movement patterns to be rehearsed!)
In terms of new movement patterns to practice while sleeping (or NOT sleeping, as the case may be...): first there was rolling over, then sitting up, then rocking on all fours (sometimes in conjunction with a little head-banging... oh, joy!). Now it's all about pulling himself up in his crib.
Pretty neat, huh? And yet I hesitate to label this one a "trick" b/c it tends to cause more angst than anything, since he hasn't totally figured out how to let himself down from that standing position. (Yes, this means that Ben or I has to go in there to assist. Many times throughout the night.)
It all started with some whimpering in the middle of the night. Nothing major, not the "I'm so hungry, please come feed me!" cry, or even the "My tummy hurts!", "My diaper is dirty!", or "I want to play!" cry. Just a bitty whimpering like he was half-asleep still. (And of course, *we* actually were.) Then it gradually built up in intensity. Finally Ben decided it was worth checking in on him rather than letting him figure out how to soothe himself back to sleep. Well... lo and behold, he was standing upright, holding onto the edge of the crib, and pretty much scared senseless about what to do next. It was so precious... (Then after a few more times, not so precious; just somewhat annoying. But still a little bit cute...)