Welcome to the dark side! Hurray!
When you come to the end of the row, be sure to put your last stitch in the single chain space of the previous row. That should keep your stitch count even. I usually start counting, if things are off a bit. If you get to what you think is the end, but you're a stitch short, you can really see where the end should be because you have to work into that last little tight chain spot of the previous row.
Resources?
Crochet Pattern Central:
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory.php
Next Stitch Videos:
http://www.nexstitch.com/Tutorials.html
Can't wait to see your first FO!