I know exactly what you were talking about, my first lucids were just like that. Now I have a lucid with good awareness once in a while but I'm still waiting for a real breakthrough.

One thing I'm experimenting around with to improve those dreams is to note down a few good and bad things for each lucid I had, then try to remember what to improve. Once you manage to get from knowing to understanding you will likely just suddenly snap out of it when the realization hits you, especially the first time it's a great feeling. Depending on how good your recall is you might also consider trying to improve that a litlle. From the point where you are it shouldn't take too long anymore, maybe just a few weeks up to 2 months. But if you keep at it you might have your first lucid with understanding even the next days, just stay optimistic about it.