It seems positive to me too which is why I am giving him the chance - but I am also concerned it could just be a way of "calming me" ... Part of the abuse cycle. Abuse - blame - abuse - apologize - soothe (put in very simplistic terms) is pretty well how it works by the abuser.

Explaining it better ..

Honeymoon stage: everything is great, this is what you have always dreamt of, nothing can come between the two of you

Escalation phase: Small things you do that never bothered the abuser, bother him or her now - you try to change but then there's always something else. You can never do anything right anymore without upsetting. Never say anything right. Everything is always your fault. The abuse isn't bad though, so you keep thinking "I can fix this - it can go back to how it used to be."

Explosive stage: The abuse is all the time now and its full throttle. By now your friends and family have been isolated from you and you have become financially dependant upon your abuser. You feel trapped. Your abuser has also threatened you - either by bodily harm to you or your loved ones or even themselves - or something you may fear worse. Your abuser places blame on you for making him or her act this way. You are scared to leave, feel guilt, shame, and trapped.

Reconciliation stage: Suddenly your abuser starts apologizing to you. Promising you things will go back like they used to be. Lavishing you with gifts and attention. You feel like royalty.

Rinse n repeat cycle.

So yea - there is a bit of confusion over if I should be concerned or proud of him.