#2 - Use electrical tape to cover the holes, that way you can stick the syringe needle directly through the tape and then retape the hole you made quickly to avoid exposure as much as possible.

#3 - Make sure and put your jar lids on with the rubber side up and DON'T TIGHTEN them until they're cool after sterilization. Otherwise negative pressure may build up inside the jar and when you inoculate them contaminated air might get sucked in.

I don't have any pictures of healthy growth for you, but you'll know it when you see it. It won't look like cobwebs and it won't look like SOLID puffy-cloud type stuff that turns bluish-green right away. It will just be right in the middle of those two extremes, hopefully with viens running through it.