When is a good time to say I love you for the 1st time?

I got into a relationship 2 months ago. This guy is so amazing, he makes it perfectly clear why it never worked out with my ex's! He truely is awesome. We connected instantly. So a couple times I've almost said "I love you" on accident and I had to bite down on my tongue to stop. My biggest fear is saying "I love you" and scaring him off. But 2 things have happened that confuse me. First one day he was messing around on a cold window & wrote "I <3 (my name)" and then for Chrismas he got me a heart necklace with the word "love" inside it. I'd figured that should be enough to give me the green light, but I'm still a bit unsure. I've been waiting for him to say it first. Maybe hes waiting for me to say it first too and these are just hints? What are your thoughts? Thanks! Please no rude comments.