Help a Noob get his first layer right.

So, I'm getting the hang of my new printer but my first layer keeps printing like it is a fill layer or a raft. The second layer seems to start the printing of the actual object but I can't figure out why. I've messed with the settings and I'm so new to this that I'm not even sure what you all would need from me to help.

I've leveled my bed, printed a first layer calibration print which came out well and also printed a temp tower and adjusted my temp accordingly. Not sure what to do next.

Also, this seems to be a slicer setting. When I run the preview the first layer looks just like what I am getting printed.

If you are using Marlin... You should consider turning on Z-BabyStepping and the Double Click option to jump to it.
When your printer is drawing the skirt around the part on the first layer, you can use Z-BabyStepping to slightly raise or lower the nozzle to get the perfect amount of 'squish' on the filament.