Leila Vassilakoglou planned to ring in 2013 by watching the Wollongong Hawks and then the fireworks at Wollongong Harbour.
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However her newborn son Rumi had other ideas - his impending arrival meant mum could only catch a glimpse of the fireworks between contractions as she was rushed to Wollongong Hospital.
After an emergency caesarean, Rumi was born at 5.45am yesterday, making him the region's first baby this year.
Although her original New Year's Eve plans were derailed, the Towradgi mum said she could think of no better way to start 2013 than with her baby boy in her arms.
"It's amazing, and I just think he's a very special little boy and he just wanted to come in to see the new year," she said.
Weighing in at a healthy 4.1 kilograms, Rumi is his mum's second child and little brother to eight-year-old Mahli.
Ms Vassilakoglou named Rumi after a spiritual Persian poet known for helping unite different cultures in the 13th century.
She hopes her son's New Year's Day birth will mean a positive outlook for 2013.
"I guess he's got big shoes to fill being named after a spiritual holy man - but he's got the big feet already," she joked.
"I think this year will hold lots of love and abundance."
