Kate, I started out with an Ibanez bass as well, then switched to electric. There'd always been an acoustic around, but I was diggin' on electric before I really tried the acoustic out seriously.
You made a good choice with the Tele for having small hands. I have the same problem. My bullet, which I was mentioning to Homer before is made of pretty much Tele and Mustang parts, has a slim Tele neck. It really is the most comfortable I've found for small hands yet.
Years later, I still don't like playing by chords. I know it's proper, but that's just not how my brain works... i play by feel. And lemme tell you, I've got some creative fretting fingerings. The way I have to cross my fingers (middle over ring or middle over index) for some barre chords probably looks ridiculous, but it's the only way I can get it done.
