I had the same thing with millana at this age.I followed the same routines and if she woke in the nite and wouldnt settle i would sit beside her bed not talking and she would lie down and nod off.If she was real bad i would sleep on the floor.She stopped after a couple of weeks but everynow and then will do it again for a few nights.This week being one of them.I am sure its dreams as she will say nana and pop and other stuff inappropriate.
My Sil had the same thing with her son and slept beside his bed for 5 weeks! But he is fine now.Same thing with dreaming and then waking up screaming.