The only good advice that I can give to you is:
1. if you love your child you have to be the "NICE" guy
2. play by the rules, especially in Texas
3. try to work on a CIVIL relationship with the mother (?)
I do agree, in some cases, that fathers get ripped and are not treated equally. The judges, most of the time, award custody to women based on two factors. 1. Wowmen are assumed to be the natuaral caregiver and 2. the fact that when two couples split, men (most of the time)make the mistake of leaving the child behind with the other parent. So basically, the one that leaves is the one that 9 times out of 10 does not get to choose where the child resides.
The only way you will ever get anything back is by documentating every move you make and every move your EX makes. Get SUPER involved with your child. Get to know their doctors, teachers, counselors, coaches, etc. Then when something "substantailly" changes.....go for a change or modification in court.
I would love to give you some advice based on the research I have done, but you will need to post some specifics on your case. Like: what you want, what you have, proof, and what was done, etc. I can give you some advice based on my experience but I am not a lawyer, only a dad that loves his children with all of his heart. No matter how much HELL you raise in TEXAS, nothing will get done unless you have documentation, money, lawyers at your discreation, and politicians in your pack pocket. Again these are my opinions.
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