It'd a way of abstracting what you're seeing down to basic shapes, and not a-thing-that-you-think-should-look-like-this, wouldn't it?
Michelangelo's babies always looked muscular because he drew what should be there in a developed human instead of what would be more commonplace in a baby's muscular structure. I suppose biological development wasn't taught too much back then though.
I'd be mindful of which way the facial features are "facing" as you draw them. You see a lot of faces drawn and the mouth is rotated one way, both eyes another, etc. It has all the features of a face, but it's kind of like someone has shifted them around a bit.
Also, don't be afraid to ruin drawings, you're never going to learn if you're too scared to make mistakes!
As far as pencils go, buy and try a few different types. I'd try H, 2B, and 6B and see how they feel, then fill in the range of pencils as you get a better feel for them.
It's just practice really, things are looking good so far. :up: