The “No” Phase and Not Quite 100%

Lingering sickness, first real steps, and a busy toddler who refuses to stay still—finding rhythm again in the middle of it all.

This illness is still lingering — honestly one of the longest stretches I’ve dealt with in a few years. I’m feeling better, but both my partner and I are still trying to fully shake it. It’s that in-between phase where you’re functioning… but not quite 100%.

Meanwhile, Jasper is leveling up in real time.

This week, he really found the word “no.” And he’s using it with confidence 😅. His vocabulary — switching between Punjabi and English — is honestly impressive for his age. You can see his personality starting to come through more and more with every word.

Even better, he’s finally walking more consistently. After spending so much time getting around on his knees (which, as a parent, was tough to watch), seeing him up and moving feels like a huge win. It’s a reminder of how quickly these little transitions happen.

We’ve also officially entered the phase where staying home all day is no longer an option. Jasper needs movement, stimulation, something. So Saturday turned into a full outing — the Indian grocery store, the mall, and a walk all in one day. By the end of it, we were completely drained.

After a bit of house cleaning, we finally sat down for a movie night. This week’s pick was Joe’s College Road Trip. It gave us a few laughs, and yes — before anyone asks — Jasper was already in bed for that one.

We wrapped the weekend the way we’re trying to do more consistently now, with a trip to the gurudwara on Sunday. There’s something about being there that slows everything down, especially during this time. We’re currently in the month of Chet, now day 16, a period that naturally brings more reflection and focus.

This week wasn’t about big milestones or major events. It was about pushing through illness, watching small but meaningful growth, and finding rhythm again — one day at a time.