Tags: babies in paris, baby, lucy kalanithi, personal, travel

Babies in Paris

My mom recently sent me photos of herself pregnant in Paris, and here are some more photos taken right after my sister and I were born. I adore this breastfeeding photo, above — it looks so tender and made me teary.

This was 1979, and I’m amazed that her clothes look so current!

You can see Versailles in the background…

My mom delivered us by C-section at the American Hospital of Paris and stayed for a whopping ten days afterwards to rest. My mom also said the hospital food was amazing, including slices of Camembert.

The view from the Eiffel Tower…

I really loved looking through these; thank you so much, Mama! It was the best birthday present.

Tags: babies in paris, baby, lucy kalanithi, personal, travel

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February 14, 2022 10:43am 10:43 am

Hi Jo,

I’ve read so many posts of yours but never commented! I was wondering if you could do a more in-depth piece about your parents living in paris as newlyweds…How did he find work? Where did they live? How long did they stay? I have so many questions! As a newlywed myself living in Philadelphia…my husband and I dream of living abroad for a short bit, but it feels so daunting. Would love to hear more. Thanks :)

Joanna Goddard(@joanna)

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Reply to TW

February 14, 2022 11:55am 11:55 am

I’d love to! Quick answers: my dad got a job with Chrysler and they moved him to Paris. back then, people were much less eager to move abroad, and they were thrilled to find someone who was okay with moving. they stayed for four years (before then moving to england), and my sister and I were born less than a year after they moved to france (my mom was pregnant during the move). they lived in Chavenay, which is about 45 minutes outside Paris. xoxo

Su M

July 8, 2014 3:50am 3:50 am

Hello Jo,
I’ve been following your blog for quite some time now, but I have never left a comment – well I think you just have too many to read allready.
But today I really had to because, you see, I also had twins recently. I can’t help but to feel close to all the twin mothers, even if they are in the other side of the world (I’m from Portugal). The one thing I notice in those amazing photos and that really stands out is the happiness look of your mom and that just assures me that no matter what, our babies are the most precious gift in our lifes.
And I just wish that my girls (along with my 3 year old) think of me the way you think of your mother when I’m 60.
I wish you all the best Jo, for you and your family.

Fiona J

November 7, 2013 5:08pm 5:08 pm

beautiful photos! I was also born in Paris so recognise most of the photo locations :) have you even been? x

Katerina

September 25, 2012 12:42am 12:42 am

The photos are wonderful!I think you look like your dad, am I right?

Kit

September 24, 2012 6:33pm 6:33 pm

my sister was born in that hospital in paris

Mamun

August 15, 2012 5:38pm 5:38 pm

Very nice post. I not only discovered your blog, I feel like I ‘got to know you’. Good luck in the challenge.

Jill Riter

April 20, 2011 4:01am 4:01 am

wonderful, darling photographs! :)

Teresa Mezzina

March 5, 2011 11:07am 11:07 am

These pictures are soooo Amazing!! your mom was so stylish and beautiful!

Dottie

February 19, 2011 3:26pm 3:26 pm

Gorgeous! The second-to-last photo with the baguette made me laugh out loud. :)

Cannelle Et Vanille

February 14, 2011 5:01pm 5:01 pm

i absolutely love this Jo! What a great gift. Also, makes me realize how my own kids will enjoy all the photos of them traveling as babies… and being breastfed on european streets! :)

Priscila

February 10, 2011 9:06pm 9:06 pm

I Loved Paris…
and I loved Babys ! I loved the pictures !

February 9, 2011 12:01pm 12:01 pm

nice pictures!

joya

February 8, 2011 11:45pm 11:45 pm

you must LOVE THESE PHOTOS. how wonderful for you to have these! love vintage photographs. so cool to look back. esp love the breastfeeding photos.

emma

February 7, 2011 5:01pm 5:01 pm

I love these pictures! Amazing! Do you have a picture of your mom what she looks like now? She’s beautiful. And I love to see how people changed over the years.

ladydazy

February 7, 2011 12:00pm 12:00 pm

Luv these pictures. Treasure them! You both were some lucky babies!!!

Eva

February 5, 2011 5:52am 5:52 am

These are amazing, sooo sweet! Thank you so much for sharing them with us, it is so personal and i feel really privillieged!

Sarah

February 4, 2011 11:07pm 11:07 pm

Beautiful photographs. I didn’t know you were a twin.
Wow, your mom is chic. What a beautiful place to be brought into this world.

Lindley

February 4, 2011 12:18pm 12:18 pm

these photos are so beautiful and inspiring! your mother seems like she had a lovely life raising you all in paris. i would love to do that myself. i wonder if it was difficult for her without having family there to lean on? thank you for sharing.

Kelsey

February 4, 2011 11:51am 11:51 am

Wow, what a treasure. Isn’t is crazy to see pics of your parents and realize how YOUNG they look? Just a couple of crazy kids starting a family.

la femme

February 4, 2011 10:28am 10:28 am

Lovely photos. Your mom is beautiful.

Kimngan

February 3, 2011 9:38pm 9:38 pm

Your mom is so beautiful. :)

McCall

February 3, 2011 7:27pm 7:27 pm

i loooove these! what treasures. i just recently went through old photos at my mom’s house too. so fun!

MUS

February 3, 2011 5:36pm 5:36 pm

so sweet the first one!

jamieofalltrades

February 3, 2011 4:56pm 4:56 pm

The one with you (or your sister) eating the baguette just kills me!

girlprinter

February 3, 2011 4:02pm 4:02 pm

Gorgeous! Do you still have the mouse toy?

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