Boomhauer, it feels to me that your posts now have their own doomsday cult following.
I read your posts as a newly married guy (who is a first-time dad of twins on top of that) trying to figure out all the rules that aren't written down that everybody already knows and everybody also knows WHY the rules are like they are. You, however, are getting SLAMMED for asking the why questions.
You are an outsider to the parental questions between your wife and her ex. Things are happening in that little world that make no sense because you have no experience in that arena, nor are you really consulted (which makes sense a little, but it also seems a little illogical). You're trying to get up to speed with all the rules, but frankly, your questions come off like newbie questions to the people who have seen it all, lived through it all, and by golly, were too broke to get the t-shirt. I say that not to knock you or your questions.
I don't think there's a book out there that's thick enough to give you all the answers you're going to need for the next 12 years + a lifetime, but I definitely wish you all the good luck you're going to need!
Brandie