Passport Bebé was born out of an admiration for my friends who had already become mothers and were raising their children in interesting and creative ways, often in different countries outside of the US. More or less around the same time my husband and I moved to Mexico City, and after a few months we would happily discover that we, too, would become parents.
Some of our contributing moms have moved away for love, others for work, and some of us are just gypsies at heart. Some of us have moved back home to where we were raised and others have stayed right where they have always been and simply approached their lives with a fresh outlook. Passport Bebé is the realization of my dream to create an artistic space where we may all share our motherhood stories and projects. I am so inspired by these women in my life and the creative energy they put into building a beautiful world for their babies and I think you will be too.
I don’t believe there is one right way or one perfect place where to raise a child. There are many fantastic and nurturing homes around the world where children grow up happily every day, and an endless number of positive opportunities we as parents may offer them. I hope we may all learn from each other here on Passport Bebé, perhaps also remembering that our own kids will always be among our greatest teachers.
-Mama Vanc
🌎 Meet our Moms 🌏
Mama Vanc
My name is Bonika and I am a new mother. My daughter Violeta was born in Mexico City where her dad and I had decided to move just seven months before we found out I was pregnant. She is without a doubt the best surprise of my life. Prior to her arrival I had been working as an installation artist and window designer. I knew once I found out that she was coming into our world that my creative work would have to evolve. We love Mexico and greatly appreciate how kind everyone has been to us as we slowly learn more Spanish and find our way around. For now, Vivi (as we call her) is the center of my world and I love creating little art projects with her. I look forward to sharing some of our projects, travels and experiences with you here on Passport Bebé. 🇲🇽
Katie
My decision to move to Italy is a long story that finally happened in June of 2013. My Italian boyfriend and I were finally ready to take the next step and in the next few years that followed we would marry and give birth to a beautiful baby boy. My new European life in the rural countryside south of Milan was a new and drastic change from my life in Santa Monica, California, where I had been living as a full-time professional with my two cats. What I have learned after six years living in Italy is that it’s all good even when it’s a bad day, that miracles do happen, a handshake and a smile over a few visits eventually creates a bond that may lead to a hug and a friendship, a long walk can heal, and that confidence in having made the decision to relocate doesn’t always solidify until after a few years because it isn’t always easy. When we take it one day at a time, remain open-hearted and appreciate the little, simple pleasures in our new countries, our souls are enriched and we are rewarded with joy and new opportunities to learn over the long run. My time in Italy thus far has been full of various, unforgettable experiences and with our new home near Lago Maggiore, I love knowing that it’s all just the beginning. I’m here to share some of my story with you, as it relates to my experience of motherhood, because being a mother alone is incredible, let alone in Italy as a foreigner, which in my mind has intensified my journey. In so many words, motherhood for me here may be described as being a queen among kings, in which case the children are the latter. 🇮🇹
Annie
My name is Annie, and I am the honored mother of Charlie, my world-travel partner in crime. Charlie is eight years old and is full of curiosity, empathy, adventure, and playfulness. Charlie’s father and I co-parent him together in what I feel is the most successful, out-of-the-box family format out there! We have co-parented from the start, and we share the family motto, one family, two homes. It hasn’t always been easy, but as conscious dedicated parents, we have worked our butts off to create a thriving family life for our son–and for ourselves (and partners)—that is united, close-knit, connected, and caring.
Travel might as well be my middle name! We live in Los Angeles, but I have also lived in Spain on and off during my adult life; and I have traveled, vacationed, backpacked, and you-name-it to many corners of the globe. Having a son, especially in a two-home family, was not going to stop me from continuing to fulfill my deep, curious nature to explore, smell, see, and taste all the wonders of this globe! Charlie has visited 18 countries so far in his short eight years of life! He understands Spanish and is starting to speak it! He has spent numerous summers at camps in Spain, and has learned that we can go anywhere in the world and make friends, especially if we have a soccer ball! Surfing, skiing, skateboarding, hiking… We are active adventurers! 🇺🇸
Amanda
I’m Amanda–a wife, a mom, and an expat living in Istanbul. I’m a trained pastry chef, who is currently “chef-ing” for my husband and two very hungry little eaters!
Back in 2011, I started a little blog called Auntie Treats. The name came about from my sweet nephew who started calling me that when he was just a little guy. He has recently turned 13! I used to bring back my kitchen and pastry school experiments for him and the rest of my family to sample on my trips from NYC back home to LA. The name stuck and was also adopted by future nieces.
Some big life events happened, and I stopped writing. After the loss of my dad, I guess you could say that I lost my voice as well as the desire to share much, let alone my recipes. My father was one of my biggest fans and the inspiration for all things food, and especially treat, related.
In the midst of grieving and learning to navigate my new world without him, this auntie also became a mama! Fast forward a bit, and I am now a proud mama of two, who we’ll call Mr. T (5 years old) and Miss Sparkle (1 year). We also recently moved from Los Angeles to Istanbul, Turkey. I did say big life events. It has been a difficult transition at times but a delicious one, too.
I will be sharing some of our family adventures as we navigate life in Istanbul, as well as other projects, recipes, and ways to make food fun for kids! If you like what you see, you can find additional recipes and stories over on A Treat Life 🙂 🇹🇷
Marissa
When I was pregnant with my first child, we were living in a tiny apartment in NYC. Those first few years with my daughter were my favorite. Being in that small space allowed us to live very simply, and we just enjoyed each other.
I had been working in the fashion world and had left my job to start working on some of my own small projects. When my daughter was born, instead of having a nursery or playroom filled with things, we enjoyed going out and about. We took long morning walks, cooked together, played in parks, and pondered paintings in museums. It was such a special time! It set the tone for what was truly important to us and what we really needed to start a family.
We now have four children and live in NJ, in the Princeton area. So much has changed as our family has grown, and yet so much has stayed that very special “same”! 🇺🇸
Cottidianetta
My Name is Maria Antonietta. I got teased a lot while growing up because of the name, but I’ve grown to love it! Many people know me by the name Tonie.
I’ve been many things in life: a child artist, a former model and Mexico beauty queen, a NYC bartender, a former party animal, a PR liaison, a Community Manager, and now the wife of Ricardo and mother of Sascha.
Born in Mexico City, I have lived in several places like New York, where I explored my dark side and also had the pleasure to meet Mama Vanc. I’ve been based in Tulum for 8 years now. This is the place that has made me feel comfortable with my feminine side as well as nature’s creatures.
Expert in catching and releasing tarantulas, scorpions, and snakes, I live a perfectly imperfect life! 🇲🇽
Shannon
Hello! My name is Shannon, and I’m originally from San Francisco. In 2013, I fell in love with my British babe of a husband and moved across the pond to the UK.
We have 2 boys who are under 3 years old. Nothing in the world could have prepared me for how amazing and also how difficult motherhood would be at times. Having children has shifted my priorities in a big way and has made me a better person all around.
I’ve worked in the beauty industry most of my life, and now our small side project @ohmumma is developing into a little biz that has big things ahead. Lots of excitement is planned for our family this year, and we can’t wait to share some of it with you! 🇬🇧
Michelle
My name is Michelle, and I am, among other things, Mama to 2 beautiful boys!
My father is an aircraft inspector, so I grew up traveling. As a child, we traveled mostly to visit family in Canada and South America, which was enough to spark something else in me. Since then, I have loved traveling to new cities and exploring all this world has to offer.
We currently live in NYC, where I’ve been for the past 16 years. This coming year we will be moving to Hawaii!
I was laid off when I was pregnant with my second baby, and at the time it made sense for me to stay home. My oldest son wasn’t in school yet, so I got to spend the better part of the year enjoying life with just him while also waiting for baby S to arrive. In that same year, my husband suggested we needed a change. After visiting Oahu, we decided to give it a go!
There’s a lot of work to be done here in Brooklyn before we head out, and I am nervous about it on a daily basis. I know we will get through it as a family and am affirming that the rewards will be beachy! I look forward to sharing our journey on the road to Hawaii. 🇺🇸
Danielle
Hello! I’m Danielle, an explorer, a dreamer, a creator, a wifey, and most significantly, a mother. Jaxon is 2 years old, now, and he has mummy wrapped around his little finger.
Our little family packed up in Melbourne and moved to Torquay, Australia less than a year ago. Torquay is a little coastal town about an hour out of Melbourne. We made the decision to buy down here after having Jax. We wanted him to grow up in a relaxed, down-to-earth environment where he could have a backyard and a beautiful outdoor environment to play in.
Having worked for over 12 years as a graphic designer in Melbourne, I made the decision after moving to the coast to start my own graphic design business. I knew that I wanted to create a business that worked around my lifestyle, rather than the other way around. It’s a business that gives me the flexibility to work my own hours and spend more time with my son.
My days with Jaxon are by far my favorite. Endless time outdoors, on the beach, or on our doorstep does not get taken for granted!
With a husband who travels a lot for work, Jax and I often tag along for the adventure, which we enjoyed especially during his first year while on maternity leave. He was my #1 travel companion. The highlight was definitely our honeymoon in Europe. I loved the way Jax adapted so smoothly to whatever was happening. Midday sleeps happened in the pram while on the go, and lunch would be picnics in a park. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops. A long-haul flight with a toddler on your lap is not for the faint of heart! And I am a big believer that the most valuable experiences in life are the most uncomfortable ones–the ones that are new and unknown, the ones we learn and grow from. So, here’s to many more uncomfortable adventures, because that’s what I believe life is all about. 🇦🇺
Jill
My name is Jill, and I’m the mom of 3-year-old Margot and 9-month-old Freya. Our family loves adventures, which took us to the Netherlands two years ago. I’m originally from the United States. Most of my family is from the Czech Republic, which is where I spent my teenage years and where my husband is also from.
I always believed that our lives and the things we love and surround ourselves with tell a unique story, and I’ve looked for ways to tell these stories. This led me to attend film school in Chicago and later on to Los Angeles, where I worked in advertising.
When my daughter Margot was born, I was a clueless, first-time mom, and I struggled with finding a new rhythm and work/life balance. Margot was not a good sleeper, and the only way she slept was in a moving stroller. I spent countless hours walking with her through the Venice Beach canals and through the whole town of Playa del Rey (our old home town).
Those walks and seeing the world through Margot’s eyes really pushed me to slow down, observe, be patient, playful, and compassionate. These were qualities I either lacked or was not very good at and which made me live more present in each moment. On our walks I started taking photos of all the things that inspired us. I started making patterns out of them, which has turned into an ongoing art project.
My kids inspire me every day in so many ways, and I can’t wait to start sharing our collaborative projects. I am excited to be part of the passport bebe mom club! 🇳🇱
*photo by Joanna Janczak
