Where has the sleep gone?

I thought I had made it; the multiple feedings during the first few months, teething, moving in to a new house. My child is champion sleeper. Down at 7:30 p.m., up at 7 a.m.. She has kept the same schedule for almost 2 years. Several weeks ago (yes, I have been in denial) she woke up at 6:30 a.m., then 6:20, 6:15 and finally 6:00 a.m.. I was doing o.k. with the 6 a.m. wake up call when she was still going to bed at 7:30. However, my champion sleeper has graduated in to a champion "excuse maker"! We started off being scared ~ scared of noises (like the woodpecker), scared of Chucky Cheese (very long story), scared of almost any thing she could say. It would buy her an extra 15 minutes of cuddling and discussion. I, being a first time mom, did not realize this was phase one of a very elaborate plan. After a few weeks the "scared" thing began to wear off so she moved to phase two ~ Trick Sleeping! We would read, drink milk, pray and sing "our" song and then she would quietly go to bed. After 30 minutes we would hear the "MOMMA!". I would try everything to get her to go to sleep, but finally would have to call in reinforcements (Daddy). The first few nights he was successful (singing / back patting), so I got comfortable in using this line of defense and she got busy planning phase three. Same routine but this time she convinced Daddy to get her out of the bed! So, for the last two weeks we have had several nights of that little "smirk" coming out of her room in Daddy's arms saying "I not tired, I can't sleep." So as the days get longer and the nights get shorter, I sit here asking myself "Is this how it is going to be?" That is when I remember that she WANTS to spend every waking minute with me and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be there for all of the little milestones, LIKE THE GIANT NEW MOLAR IN THE BACK OF HER MOUTH!!!! She is so proud of her new tooth. She has been singing "Happy Birthday to my new tooth", as well as talking about my "Old Teeth" since the discovery. YEAH ~ a reason! In my crazy mind, everything is made o.k. with a reason. Now I can have hope that my champion sleeper will return. One down, three to go! Now that is a milestone I am looking forward to reaching! Hang in there sweet baby girl, I know we will make it!