Are you rocking the needle ? as soon as you feel the needle on the finger below push it right back up when it pops on the top send it right back down.
And remember if this is your first time , it does take time and practice to get the tiny even spaced stitches
You are doing fine for the first time
just keep practicing
By the way I don't use a thimble on the bottom or top- for the top to get a grip on the needle I use a pad or small piece of a rubber ( does that make sense ?)