The fireworks had barely faded when Canberra's first baby of 2018 came into the world.
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As much of the city ushered in the New Year with music and dancing, parents Nathalie and Adam Keough, of Ngunnawal, enjoyed a more intimate celebration at Calvary Hospital.
And it seemed little Maddison Rose couldn't wait to join the party, arriving more than two weeks early at 12.49am on Monday.
"It was the best New Year's, at least for me, it was the best," Mr Keough said.
His wife said the last few hours of 2017 passed in a blur, but she remembered the midwives celebrating around her at midnight.
"They were great, we were thrilled when we realised she was the first [baby of the year]," Ms Keough said.
While the couple caught the 9pm fireworks over Civic, concerns Maddison might be born "too small" meant Ms Keough was brought in to be induced on Sunday night. Instead, she went into labour naturally as they arrived at the birthing suite.
Weighing just 2.69 kilograms in the end, Maddison already had her fair share of people to meet on Monday morning. But her most special visitor would arrive later that afternoon - older sister Stella.
"Stella's 14 months so we got her a doll, a baby of her own, to help her understand," Ms Keough said
"...She's got a playmate now."
While Maddison was the couple's first pick for a name, Mr Keough admitted they had agonised over a few in the lead up.
"We consulted the family over Boxing Day lunch and finally decided on Maddison," he said.
"I think it suits her."
He was pleased his daughter would now celebrate her birthday every New Year's Day.
"It's an automatic public holiday, it's summer time, what's not to like?"
