A Father’s Day tribute to my hubby and all of the other daddies in the “Two and Under Club.”

To the daddy who was a calming and reassuring presence for your wife when Baby #1 was on the way, here’s to you.

To the daddy who painted the nursery that perfect shade of gray, put the crib together like an old pro and finally (albeit begrudgingly) replaced the perfectly-fine, functioning ceiling fan in the baby’s room because your wife thought it was ugly, here’s to you.

To the daddy who started your MBA coursework a month before your first child was born, here’s to you.

To the daddy who drove your ready-to-pop wife to the hospital and managed not to go over 55 mph the entire 45-minute drive, even though the speed limit was 65 mph, here’s to you.

To the daddy who was your wife’s rock during delivery, never leaving her side and only getting a little queasy when you cut the cord, here’s to you.

To the daddy whose whole world changed the moment your first child was born, here’s to you.

To the daddy who “slept” sitting up in a hospital rocking chair for two nights straight without complaining once, here’s to you.

To the daddy who changed every single diaper for two weeks straight with only a few blowouts and other mishaps along the way, here’s to you.

To the daddy who was at your wife’s every beck and call when you got home from the hospital with your new bundle of joy, here’s to you.

To the daddy who did everything in your power to help your wife navigate the trials and tribulations of breastfeeding and who felt helpless when you watched her struggle, here’s to you.

To the daddy who supported your wife with postpartum anxiety and depression, and may have even suffered from some of your own, here’s to you.

To the daddy who hit his stride as the weeks and months passed, finally finding your groove as a new dad, here’s to you.

To the daddy whose whole world changed again the first time your baby smiled at you, here’s to you.

To the daddy who mastered the art of bottle feeding and then eventually the messy adventures of baby cereal and food, here’s to you.

To the daddy who tackled every blowout, food, you-name-it stain on your baby’s clothes, here’s to you.

To the daddy who relieved your wife on those long nights during a teething phase, here’s to you.

To the daddy who felt an immense amount of pride every time your little one learned something new that first year, here’s to you.

To the daddy who was your wife’s photography assistant and went to any length necessary to capture the perfect shot for those monthly milestone photos, here’s to you.

To the daddy who is the “official bedtime storyteller” in your household, here’s to you.

To the daddy who let your wife go overboard when planning your baby’s first birthday party and only tried to rein her in once or twice before just letting her do her thing, here’s to you.

To the daddy who took the day off work so that you could spend your baby’s first birthday at the zoo with your little family, here’s to you.

To the daddy who didn’t think he’d survive the first year but did, and would do it all again, here’s to you.

To the daddy who stays up late on Christmas Eve assembling new toys while muttering curse words under your breath, here’s to you.

To the daddy who still doesn’t understand why every baby outfit needs a matching pair of shoes, here’s to you.

To the daddy who is a pro car seat installer but hates the stroller with a passion, here’s to you.

To the daddy who is experiencing the joys of temper tantrums, the word “no” and the consequences of missing nap time, here’s to you.

To the daddy who treats his little one with a trip to Mickey D’s and a Happy Meal so that Mommy can have some alone time, here’s to you.

To the daddy whose baby is their mini-me, best little buddy and greatest accomplishment, here’s to you.

To the daddy who is your wife’s partner in life and an even better dad than she could have ever imagined, here’s to you.