LL, I don't think it's relevant if your H downplays the praise you give him. In a way, that's his problem, and I'd bet it just makes him uncomfortable because of all of the previous sh!t. Right? So, I'd say keep at it.
In general, I think men (not sure about women) downplay praise because we want to appear humble (kind of like, it's never good to brag). So, when my W praises me, I also downplay it, but I still WANT it. Did I make sense?
