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Something must be in the Aqua at my office. In the past month alone at least four of my colleagues announced that they are pregnant. Some were surprises. All the prospective moms are ecstatic.

As the tummies begin to bulge, I’m reminded of my excitement before and after the birth of my only child. And inspired to get moving if I want to produce a sibling for my daughter, Dior.

But I also remember the pre- and postpartum periods as being very confusing. And, honestly, frustrating. That’s because even though publicly enjoying the thrill of being a new dad, I secretly missed the attention given to a husband and friend.

That’s why I wrote the following for a US publication 13 years ago, updating it to offer now to my sweet, pregnant colleagues. Husbands, you can thank me later.

Forgotten New Father’s Day

There are more than enough holidays in the year, I know that. Besides official public holidays, there’s Earmuff Patent Day on March 13, and did you know that January 15 was Hug Your Cat Day?

In Hong Kong, my favorite is Tomb Sweeping Day on April 6, while in Japan, Respect for the Aged Day on September 15 (little boys salute me).

But let me suggest just one more date to mark on your calendar — Forgotten New Father’s Day.

Actually, I’ve been living that day every day since my daughter was born. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not complaining, but merely stating the status of just about every guy who just had his first child.

You know the scene. Relatives or friends buzz into your home and make a beeline for the baby with smiles, smooches and enough presents to supply a small village.

Then the quick glance back. “Oh. Hi, Dalton.” Well, OK, I thought I was the Invisible Man for a second there.

Maybe I have been around more than 40 years longer than Baby Dior, and you just saw me at the mall, but don’t forget who got this whole infant thing going.

You see, while mom is bonding during breast-supplied mealtime, dad’s out in the cold, or maybe out in the yard, looking for a way to get in on the action.

“Honey, she just exploded on the white wall, come quick!” was the first cry to join the family circle. I eagerly obliged, deciding that I would’ve pointed baby the opposite direction while changing her diaper.

I am trying to stay in the baby loop with morning garden walks and joint tub splashing. But please, summon me for more than emergency clean-up duty.

Let me state clearly that I worship the ground that all mothers walk on. After watching my wife endure the trials of pregnancy — an itchy rash, a weight gain that sumo wrestlers would love and a teeth-grinding labor that painkillers only dulled ­— I bow to the female species.

But is it OK to expect just a few moments of spousal affection? “My wife didn’t let me get near her for one year,” revealed a neighbor, who then waited another eight to have his next child.

I’m not merely talking about “having a bonk,” as our British doctor put it. I’m remembering when I would earn a much-welcomed massage after a long trans-Pacific flight. Or get a regular hug before the lights went out.

Honey, I know you’re busy and often tired this first year. Just give me a hint that our time will come again.

I ask on behalf of all new dads:

— To friends and family making a house call: acknowledge the father’s presence within at least the first two hours. That way you don’t accidentally sit on him as you plop down on the sofa.

— To wives: surprise your spouse with a cold drink during the playoff game, but don’t mash up his beef jerky like baby’s broccoli. And squeeze his hand, for starters, in bed tonight and whisper something in his ear. “Your turn to empty the Diaper Genie” doesn’t count.

And to everyone: Don’t call us new dads “Daddy,” unless you’re looking up at me from the crib and making history by talking before you can crawl.

Hawaii native Dalton Tanonaka is the anchor of Metro TV’s “Indonesia Now” program on Saturday mornings at 6:30 a.m., and host of “TalkIndonesia” on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. He also co-anchors “Asean Today,” a monthly program that airs throughout Southeast Asia. He can be reached at dalton@metrotvnews.com.