What a wonderful way to start the new year. Eli Young Band bassist Jon Jones wasn’t on stage for the band’s New Year’s Eve gig in Oklahoma. Nor was he out partying. Instead, he was with his wife Sarah celebrating the birth of their new baby boy.

“We are ecstatic about this beautiful baby boy that came into our world,” announced the couple in People magazine. “Words cannot describe our excitement and joy.”

Baby Hudson Lennon Jones was born December 31, 2012 at 1:30pm near Fort Worth, Texas. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 8 ounces and measured 21 inches long (see a photo of Hudson and his proud papa). Little Hudson was expected to arrive around Christmas time, but apparently he wasn’t ready to meet his parents yet. In spite of his tardiness, Sarah was still able to have a natural birth as planned.

“The birth was extremely smooth. We left our house at 10 a.m. for the birthing center when contractions were four minutes apart and he was born just a few short hours later. We had a great birth team who helped us through everything.”

The delivery was so smooth the whole family was able to make it home in time to see the ball drop. They are doing well, and much like fellow bandmember Mike Eli, who had his baby girl back in July, Jon and Sarah are starting off their new year as first-time parents.

”I could not be more proud of my wife,” said Jon, “and could not be a happier father.”

Congratulations to the happy family!

-Ashley Quadros, CBS Local/Sacramento