Hello Rastagal It (she ) is coming on really well
The bud thing is just new growth, I think it does take on a different look as it gets older
You don't have to "pinch" (top) if you don't want too, some people do and some don't ................I suppose it's just down to personal choice.

I always pinch mine about five days before inducing flowering, it's really very simple
Using small sharp sisscors is a more acurate way but I just use my finger nails. You just simply "pinch" or cut off the new growth at the very top of the plant. However you have to be very carefull not to take of any of the shoots were the new stems will grow from.
With the new growth removed the diagonal shoots at the last node will grow and form two new main stems replacing the one original stem..............and hopefully increasing yeild

Honestly love you don't have to do it if you don't want to, I didn't start "pinching" untill after a year or two of growing


love mand xxx