I'm not hung up on the $25 conversation. It could have been as simple as she called him because she was excited (he said) that she had found three books to cross off their list. "Hi Honey, I got three books today at the book fair that Child 1 and Child 2 will love for Christmas! Yikes, but they cost $25." To which he replies "Hey, it's okay". I don't see it as a problem. I know it can be for some people, but I don't think he'd bring it up if it was the catalyst for a heat-of-the-moment fight.
As for those unaccounted-for (to us, you have to know LE knows exactly where he was and what he was doing every minute of that day at after) afternoon hours, jeez he could have been napping like others have said or out screwing around or otherwise occupied. There truly are some men/dads (even women/mothers) who are so self-involved they just really don't pay attention unless it's directly impacting them. Yes, even when they have a newborn. "I'm hungry. Where's dinner? What...no one's here... looks at watch...omg it's later than I thought". That's if he was home. He could have come home at 2ish and gone back out.
Seven years engagement? Nope, going steady maybe, but seven years is not an engagement. Yes, I judge everyone who claims engagements and fiancees over a several year timespan. Fish or cut bait people.
I'm not watching those videos again, does anybody recall him telling that he loves her and needs her home? I'm not doubting he loves her, just can't remember if he said the words. I know people are different and not demonstrative that way, but he is clearly emotional about her being missing, I just don't recall hearing the words "I love you". I probably have selective hearing. DH and I are Schmoopies in that we are always telling each other how much we love each other. I'm sure some people roll their eyes at us, but hey, we've been together a long time and we've earned that right to hold hands in public and say I love you randomly during the day.
It's curious to see comments wondering is LE has done this or that or suggesting they should do XYZ...seriously, now. Do people really think they don't know what they're doing? No wonder they get annoyed with websleuthers, lol!
If he never tried to contact her again after that call at 1:40 or 2 where he said her phone was dead, then yes, I do think it's odd having a newborn, and maybe even selfish, but not suspicious necessarily.