I think those were normal lucid dreams.

It's common to

1. realize you are dreaming without an RC
2. lose lucidity and continue with a dream as non-lucid

1. Reality checks are crucial part of training. But not because they get us lucid. Just a plain RC without belief that you are dreaming will not likely get us lucid. RCs are a vehicle to which we attach our belief that we are dreaming. Our awareness. Then this awareness will happen in a regular dream and either gives us an urge to RC, or just gets us lucid without RC.

Once lucid, we can keep RCing or saying mantras to keep our awareness longer.


2. Losing lucidity is normal and so is not having control. Those are not signs of semi-lucid.

Btw, I think we are either lucid, or not. But the level of awareness can vary greatly.

Happy dreams.