When Mitch was offered an incredible job opportunity in Chicago this past spring, my world was turned completely upside down. Leave New York City? I couldn’t wrap my mind around the idea. New York was everything I knew—I’d lived there longer than I’d lived anywhere else, and it was where my life was. It was my home.
Of course, Mitch felt pretty badly about asking me to move. He made it clear that if I didn’t want to go, we wouldn’t, and he’d love me just the same. (Best husband ever.) But he also promised that if we moved to Chicago, we’d get a dog. Such a smart guy, haha. While I definitely would have moved without this little promise (I swear!), it also made the change a bit more appealing. ;)
I’ve wanted a miniature dachshund for as long as I can remember. (I’m seriously obsessed with them, and have had the name “Noodle” picked out for years!) But having a dog just wasn’t in the cards when we lived in New York. We worked in the Bronx; had a crazy, on-the-go lifestyle; and lived on the top floor of a walkup apartment building. It would have been too hard. Having a dog is a big responsibility, but now that we’re in Chicago—and are older—we’re ready for it. We also have a big backyard, spend the majority of our time in our neighborhood, and live much calmer lives.
In early July, my mother-in-law found a listing for dachshund puppies in the newspaper, and Mitch and I fell in love with the tiny pup pictured above. We’ve spent the last month preparing for her arrival, and right now, we’re finally on our way to pick up the newest addition to our family. I’ve waited for this day for so long, and I really can’t express how excited I am! Isn’t she precious?!
I’ll be sharing the experience on the blog tomorrow, but in the meantime, you can follow along via Instagram. And yes—Noodle has her own Instagram account (@NoodleLarkin), too. Would you expect anything less?
Let the journey begin! (Eeee!)
Congrats on your little addition! So fun! Can’t wait to see photos!
-Meg
http://www.smalltownsisters.blogspot.com
Ohh what a sweetie! And what a cute name! Congrats on a new member of your family!
http://stylesprinter.com/the-moment-i-became-a-new-yorker/
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you are getting a new puppy! This is so ironic because I seriously just got a new kitten. My dad found her in a field and now she has become our little Eloise haha!
Hunter
Prep on a Budget
Hunter, Congrats!! :) Eloise is such a precious name!! Hope you’re having a great time with her!
omgggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg soooo cuuuteeeeeeee!!!
Awwwww!!!!! Congratulations on getting Noodle!!!! It’s soooo adorable!!! GOSH!!!!!
http://anshul90.com
http://instagram.com/anshul90
Aww! Congrats Kelly!! Can’t wait to see pics!
too adorable Kelly!!!!!! so happy for you :)
newengland-prep.blogspot.com
Oh my goodness.. he’s precious! Wait until you see how much MORE you will fall in love with that little thing! When I got my little furrbaby, I never could have imagined how much I’d grow to love her!
Kerri,
Thank you! I can’t believe how perfect she is. I know it’s only been a day and a half, but I’m completely smitten! Of course, caring for and training a puppy is hard work… but worth it. :) Eeee! So happy! Thanks so much!
I’m in love!!! Noodle is simply adorable! Can’t wait to follow her journey. You’re only crazy if I am because our 16 month old yellow lab has an Instagram @bauerthe puppy We do love our babies!
Haha! I will definitely have to follow Bauer. So cute! I grew up with labradors, so I really adore the breed! So many happy memories :)
what a cutie!!
The Style Scribe
Oh my gosh– THE cutest!!!!! I had a dachshund when I was younger and she was such a sweetie!! This pup is going to change yours and Mitch’s relationship for the best!!
You did?! Awww! Yes!! Thank you so much for saying that… Mitch loved that, Emily! :) xoxo!
Aww, how sweet!! I hope she makes some guest appearances in your outfit photos soon!
Chic on the Cheap
Oh, she will be. If I ever start taking photos again, haha! I’ve been covered in dirt the last few days… So much playing outside, hehe! ;)
How exciting! Congrats on the new little addition to your family!
xo, Laura
Awww what a cutie! Dogs are the best! Love the name Noodle :)
oh my gosh, Kelly!! Noodle is the absolute most precious pup in the world!!!! congratulations on the new addition to the family. I hope he starts making regular appearances in your blog posts!
xoxo, Elena Michelle
http://www.anewyorkloveaffair.com
Thank you, Elena! Yes! I’m planning on photographing her a LOT, haha! :)
OMG he’s freaking adorable!
I have an Instagram for my dog too (@adognamedotis)! He’s a bit larger than Noodle though, haha. Enjoy that lil guy, he’s too cute!
http://www.mostlymidwestern.com
Awww! Thank you for sharing, Mali! I’ll be sure to follow along! :) xoxo!
So adorable!!! Love!!
http://www.madeintheshadeblog.com
She is so cute!
Haley
haleyvalerie.com
Oh. My goodness. I can’t stand the CUTE.
The Starving Inspired
Oh my goodness! So adorable! Puppies make everything better! xo
McKenna
stylewaltz.com
I literally cannot handle the cuteness Kelly! What a little angel! You will have to take him to the dog park on the beach in Chicago, it’s beautiful and clean and Noodle can run around and play in the water!
-Alex
http://www.monstermisa.blogspot.com
Alex… Yes! Thank you so much for the recommendation. Mitch’s job is located not far from there, so we’re planning on making it a regular thing! :) So excited!
So excited for you! I know you’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. I also have to say good luck…puppies are cute, but they’re a handful! Hope Noodle and Bones can meet some day :)
xo
Sam
Thank you, Sam! You’re totally right–puppies are a handful! Right now, we’re struggling with crate training, as I don’t have it in me to let her whimper and cry. We’ve been trying to make the crate a positive place–where she eats her meals, gets treats as well as has toys, a bed and something that smells like us. I haven’t been going to get her when she cries, but it’s SO hard!! Poor little girl! Did you go the crate route?
Reading your early adventures with Noodle makes me totally appreciate how far Bones has come! The first few nights were absolute torture. We had him in a playpen in our living room and he cried so much. I cried too, and it was so frustrating…I hate to say it, but I almost wanted to give him back. I didn’t think we could handle it! But, believe me when I say it does get better (even if that seems impossible right now).
In terms of crating, we kept him in the playpen until he got all of his early shots because the woman we adopted him from told us to and we were hyper paranoid. It was okay, but as a result, he doesn’t love being confined now. Fortunately, he’s not at all destructive (except for coffee table corners), so we can leave him out when we’re not home and both he and our apartment will survive. That said, we might have to explore the crate again when I go back to work.
My best advice for now is get some earplugs lol…and just remember that she’s a baby and this is a lot of change for her and for you guys. Text me if you need anything! xo
Aw, he’s adorable Kelly! I’m so jealous…I’ve wanted a dog for so long, but it’s just not practical for me right now either. Some day!
xoxo,
Andrea
http://www.andreaeveryday.com
Noodle is adorable!!! Look at her sweet eyes, how precious! Can’t wait to see more of her.
Lindsay,
http://www.fatfreefashion.com