Sorry for above post, some reason my reply didn't end up in thread till after all my questions were answered.... Like I said I can't see your pics but I've seen some very small bonzai plants in pc cases, I know my green-o-matic is small at only 10"... I think that if your actually getting buds on your plant than you are DOING EXCELLENT! it's your first grow, it's a hobby, we're all learning as we go...
If only had pics at my first dozen failed attempts at growing in my closet as a teen with a cfl and bag seed... Never once did any of them make it to bloom! So don't be so hard on self, many reason things could have gone the way they did... Start planning your next grow instead of worrying about this one...
Keep the faith brother!
Yoda