My Dilemma

This post is for all those professional mothers out there.  Owen is such a great baby in ALL aspects except one, sleeping, so I really shouldn't complain.  But I'm seriously lacking in the sleep department and maybe someone out there has a suggestion.  It's seriously frustrating because it seems like EVERYONE I know has babies that sleep like rocks (or so they are claiming, but some of them have to be making up fairy tales, right? haha).  I have a one year old that will not sleep thru the night.  Back in February or so he was doing really well and sleeping from 8-5 before needing to nurse.  However, he is now waking up several times a night, not necessarily always to eat, but since he now knows how to stand he'll stand up in bed and then cry until someone comes to get him.  (I think he's too tired to remember to sit down and go back to sleep). We have a pretty regular routine before bed (most days) and I always put him down when he's awake, as opposed to holding him til he's asleep, so he knows how to put himself to sleep.  If he just fussed when he woke up I'd let him fuss back to sleep (which he use to do) but now most of the time he screams!  So, the question is, how do I get him to sleep thru the night without letting him "cry it out".  It's just not for me.  I can't do it and I believe there are other ways that work.  So, if you have any tips please let me know!