Hi @jud and welcome to Connect. It sounds as if despite the pain you are doing great. I always use a pillow between my legs when sleeping on my side, but have not had the need to when on my back -- I have had two TKRs.
The typical stair method is "down with the bad", so your operated leg should go first. In time you will be easily able to go down the stairs bilaterally. That just comes with time so try to not be concerned about it
Kickbacks are for me history. I will never be able to get my leg very far back and I don't think it's expected after a TKR. I can barely get it far back enough to grab a hold of my ankle, but it's perfectly functional.
I don't recall doing your #3.
You are smart to start a journal. I regret that is not something I did for any of my surgeries. I wish now that I had so I could look back accurately.
JK