Thursday, April 5, 2012 Dear Friends at Christiana Care, My husband, Stefan Roberts, and I were elated to find that we were expecting a baby, after having suffered a miscarriage and going through IVF (in-vitro fertilization). We had anticipated the birth of our first child for so long. Little did we know that she would come sooner than expected! Shelby Joy Roberts was born on Dec. 13, 2010, at 27 weeks and 3 days, and weighed just 2.59 pounds. She needed neonatal intensive care and remained in Christiana Hospital’s NICU until Feb. 18, 2011 — nine weeks after being born! We were so grateful for the service and care that was provided to Shelby during her stay in the NICU that we decided to do something special to commemorate her first birthday. Instead of gifts for Shelby, we asked all of our friends and family to purchase a preemie outfit to be donated to the NICU in Shelby Joy’s name. When we delivered the clothes along with diapers, a Boppy pillow, and other necessities, I was overjoyed to see some of the same nurses who took care of Shelby while she was in the NICU. Shelby now weighs more than 20 pounds and has had no health issues since her discharge from the NICU. My husband and I believe that her story is a testament to the dedication and knowledge of the doctors and nurses who nurtured Shelby Joy … and because of you, she “shall be joy!” With warmest regards, Tracey N. Roberts

Dear Friends at Christiana Care,

My husband, Stefan Roberts, and I were elated to find that we were expecting a baby, after having suffered a miscarriage and going through IVF (in-vitro fertilization). We had anticipated the birth of our first child for so long. Little did we know that she would come sooner than expected!

Shelby Joy Roberts was born on Dec. 13, 2010, at 27 weeks and 3 days, and weighed just 2.59 pounds. She needed neonatal intensive care and remained in Christiana Hospital’s NICU until Feb. 18, 2011 — nine weeks after being born!

We were so grateful for the service and care that was provided to Shelby during her stay in the NICU that we decided to do something special to commemorate her first birthday. Instead of gifts for Shelby, we asked all of our friends and family to purchase a preemie outfit to be donated to the NICU in Shelby Joy’s name.

When we delivered the clothes along with diapers, a Boppy pillow, and other necessities, I was overjoyed to see some of the same nurses who took care of Shelby while she was in the NICU.

Shelby now weighs more than 20 pounds and has had no health issues since her discharge from the NICU. My husband and I believe that her story is a testament to the dedication and knowledge of the doctors and nurses who nurtured Shelby Joy … and because of you, she “shall be joy!”

With warmest regards,

Tracey N. Roberts

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