25NL How would you have played these two differently?

Hand 1:

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (7 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Hero ($24.35)
CO ($13.20)
Button ($39.25)
SB ($8)
BB ($14)
UTG ($25.45)
MP1 ($29.25)

Preflop: Hero is MP2 with K, Q.
UTG calls $0.25, 1 fold, Hero raises to $0.75, CO calls $0.75, Button calls $0.75, 1 fold, BB calls $0.50, UTG calls $0.50.

Flop: ($3.85) 3, 2, 8 (5 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, Hero bets $3, CO folds, Button folds, BB folds, UTG calls $3.

Turn: ($9.85) Q (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $6, UTG calls $6.

River: ($21.85) J (2 players)
UTG checks, Hero bets $8, UTG folds.


Hand 2:

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.25 BB (8 handed) Hand History Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com (Format: FlopTurnRiver)

Button ($19.65)
SB ($14.75)
Hero ($35.40)
UTG ($20.20)
UTG+1 ($38.50)
MP1 ($15.40)
MP2 ($5.15)
CO ($25)

Preflop: Hero is BB with Q, J. CO posts a blind of $0.25.
UTG calls $0.25, 1 fold, MP1 calls $0.25, MP2 calls $0.25, CO (poster) checks, Button calls $0.25, 1 fold, Hero checks.

Flop: ($1.60) 5, 9, T (6 players)
Hero bets $1, UTG folds, MP1 folds, MP2 folds, CO raises to $3, Button folds, Hero calls $2.

Turn: ($7.60) A (2 players)
Hero bets $6, CO folds.

1. I would check behind on river, you don't get called by much that you beat

2. Why steal the impetus on the turn, do you have a read? If he pushes over your turn you have to call, but it's basically a break-even play. I think a check/raise (push?) wins more.

Either hand you're not winning a big pot because opponent didn't have a hand.