Hello Alison!!
Glad you have joined us!! You have found the best forum in my opinion to ask for help.. But then I am the admin of course Ill say that, but youll see! Iv always wondered what it was like to own a pet rat, they do seem like a popular kind of rodent, Im sure one day I will try one out but I know they require allot of space and need large cages!
Noodle is a great name for a hamster; please post pictures sometime if you can