Hi Veiled,

I am not sure () how things are for relationships with both people having PTSD. So I could be way off base here, but
Yes maybe you did "catch him off guard" just a little. I sometimes -- find myself caught off guard when ranger seems really happy. I want him to be happy. But that is not what I am acustom to as of the last couple of years.
You are not wrong for wanting to be happy. You should be happy. You should enjoy being happy and sharing your time with your daughter.
If you woke him up or he was almost asleep his guarded moment in time, he may have been thrown off track...maybe he had a "bad" moment. Maybe he was being a "butthead"!
Since I don't know him, I can't venture to guess.
We all have times when we get irrated about things.
Just be happy as much as you can--- he will adjust, after all isn't that what we all do in relationships --
Tell him --that he hurt you -- when he wasn't happy FOR & WITH you --that you were happy...
Does that make sense?
I some times get tired of being patient with ranger. I love him very much and I want him to get better and be happy.
I have to remind myself to accept what is happening for each moment in time that it is.
I love the moments in time when he is happy or feeling good.
When he is depressed I try to get him out and do something that I know he loves to do, to change his "state of mind".

I think -- "I" would have felt he rejected me in my happy state of mind. He may not have meant it that way. But sometimes our views (female) & their views (male) are not always the same. NOT BAD-- JUST DIFFERENT.
Ranger feels pain ALL the time, some times it is worse than others. I feel that lack of affection, that we use to have, because I can't hug on him and lovingly touch him on the back without hurting him.

action--reaction--reaction--reaction--etc
I guess maybe just talking to him about it...if you can?

any way sorry this is so long...........

Hope things get better for you both!!

Be HAPPY as much as possible whenever possible...
Take Care
Donna
aka/wildcritter