I'm sorry about the pre-trip anxiety and the real life struggles. Sending hugs your way!
Your day 2 sounds like lots of fun! I highly recommend the mid-afternoon break, and I say that as a die-hard rope-drop to park close tourer, but it saved our bacon this last trip (though hopefully your trip won't be nearly as hot). If you don't end up getting a break at the hotel, we found sitting in the rocking chairs on Tom Sawyer island worked almost as well.
With only two people, you shouldn't have too much of an issue getting extra fastpasses either.
That's one of the benefits of staying at an Epcot resort, just being able to leisurely stroll out of Epcot and back to the hotel. Like you said, don't rush! Just enjoy it--you deserve it!!