Cables...

[Aello]

Hello all... i would really appreciate some advice...
I'm working on my first cable pattern. Here are my problems.

First, I would like to believe that I am giving a nice tug on my yarn to tighten it up, but there is still quite a gap between my knits and purls. Is there anything I can do about this?

Second, I never thought myself a tight knitter, so is it normal on the row that I am working the cables to be extremely tight? and if not what can I do about it?

Thanks for any feedback, it would be really appreciated..
Happy :XX: :XX: :XX: