Everything you say certainly sounds like you are getting more aware in your dreams. I have had it happen twice in a regular dream, when I was able to think and act as if I was aware. Both time, later on in this dream, I became lucid. So I would say that's a good sign.

When I do WBTB, I don't drink water, so call of nature doesn't wake me up at inappropriate time, like from LD. And you need to experiment with how long you stay up. It can be different every time. If you having hard time falling asleep, stay up shorter and vice versa.

Mantra is good to do during day, as falling asleep, but they are most powerfull, when those are the last thoughts you have before actually falling asleep.

Keep doing expecially your awareness training, keep excited when doing RCs and get ready for some most awesome experience of your life. It's coming.