AD,
You wrote:
I guess G/A was not an option because first bounce was only a couple of feet? It just got progressively worse from there
Indeed and that is 99% of the time what will happen.
At this stage in the game the best thing to do on a bounce/balloon is to initiate a G/A there and then.
To rescue a landing once you are in the bounce/balloon requires more skill than going around and setting yourself up for another go at it with a clean sheet of paper.
Again have a chat with your instructor and do what others (as FFF) have suggested. Do some G/As from some different scenarios and see how things go.
Once you get to know the bird a bit better you will get the feeling on how to use power/attitude to your advantage so that you can rescue a bounce/balloon too.
Have fun.
FD