It was an unexpected arrival for one family in Waterloo Region.

Just hours after the clock struck midnight, Payton made her appearance at 2:14 a.m. and received the title of being the first baby of 2012 at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener.

First time mom Amanda Kieswetter was surprised by the arrival. "I didn't expect it." Payton wasn't due to be born until February. "I'm just surprised altogether that she's even here."

Kieswetter says everything feels completely different now that she's a mom. "Just this instinct that I have - this little life to on to and that she depends on me and me alone."