Welcome to piecing, sorry I haven't been by before!
So much stuff! I just LOVE the idea of setting up R talk time. That's just what our M needs. We've kind of let that "slide" since our MC decided we didn't need to see her anymore ( ) two visits after I revealed that my H had been lying AGAIN for the previous 3 months and was still in touch with OW.
I think your techniques are excellent. I love the idea of GIVING him the words to reassure you, but like you, I've had that backfire, or just not work out as I'd planned.
I ASK for physical affection...I want a hug and a kiss right then! He says "I'll WORK on that!" Huh? Wha...????
Your sitch, over all really does sound hopeful. He called you Babe! (Kind of a sore spot for me as that what H and I called each other...and then what he called OW too ).
I can barely remember all the things I wanted to post to you, it must be getting late...yup, nearly 2 a.m. my time.
I'll be sure to check on you in the future. Check out my thread (my previous on is on p2 here, I was too lazy to link it up ) as you'll see some similarities. Particularly about the A, asking ?'s about the A, the INCREDIBLE lies (my head still spins when I think about them...who was that guy????).