Calling All Dads: Which one of the 15 Defining Moments of Fatherhood rates at the top for you and why?

With me, it was the first time I held my son. I made a solom vow to be a better Dad to him than mine was to me. He has Autism yet he is a fighter and advocates for what he believes in. He tries his best and already is taller than me and 3 lbs heavier. I am very proud of him.

He may never be a Marine but he know who we are and respect our flag and country

#15 - Being a dad to my two daughters has been and is the greatest journey and accomplishment in my life to me and just gets more interesting as time goes by.

7 and to the disapproval of my son, 14. And it pisses him off to no end.

#2. "I regularly stay up late –but I’m not drinking" was the first I encountered...though I'd disagree with the article and say that I became a father at conception. My child heard my voice and reacted to music I played on the piano well before he was born.
My wife was in labor with our first for 42 hours. So...yeah, staying up late. The 2nd, she was in labor 38 hours. She felt bad about getting an epidural, wanted to do it naturally; the epidural allowed her body to relax and the process to flow. I told her to not feel bad, after 80 hours combined labor, she's earned an immediate epidural, since it's way more than most people take.

I do love #5, the getting hit. Most of the time, when our sons were in bed with us, they'd kick. And they just happened to hit that muscle in my back that needed a good massage. Felt good!

#10. Found it waaayyyyy before the craze. You know it. "ba-by shark do do do do do do." Wild Kratts, Odd Squad, Pete the Cat, Brain Candy TV, Umizoomi are all favorites.

#12. Ooo, I don't know that I've worn dress whites around the kids. Got pretty good at avoiding stains til now.

#15. YES! Yes indeed!!!

I was fortunate enough to be allowed to help deliver my son, and actually "caught" him at the appropriate time (I was scared to death because no one bothered to inform me he would look "blue" at first). I laid him next to my wife, and when that little boy opened his eyes... something inside of me took hold that I can't really explain. There are days I'm amazed at his intelligence, caring spirit, and intrepid nature... others, I struggle not to wonder how I'm ever going to make sure he doesn't burn down the house. All the same, there's just something about looking into time's mirror and seeing yesterday, today, and tomorrow all in one little boy's face.

15--As a father I do have the best job ever...from playing pretty pretty princess the night before a deployment to taking her dress shopping for a formal event...best thing I have ever done short of becoming a Christian and marrying my bride.

I'll add one:
The Welcome Wagon Roller Derby.
When I arrive home, who gets to say hello first with kisses and hugs is a contact sport.
It never gets old, and I have the bruises to prove it.

Nicknames in Public: Since age 2, I've called my daughter "Buckshot." Whenever she hears it, she knows its me. And when anyone else hears it, they know they don't dare call her the same. Yep, that's MY kid!