You'll be fine.
Your process sounds like mine. I pour in top off water then stir the hell out of it. Sometimes it can take up to 24 hours or more before you see signs of fermentation. Don't worry, be patient.
Lack of airlock activity is not a sign of lack of fermentation. I have had beer that made zero bubbles in the airlock yet fermented completely and tasted fantastic. If you don't have a tight fitting lid, loose airlock, or any number of things that cause a lack of air-tightness, you will see reduced airlock activity. It doesn't mean your beer isn't fermenting.
The ONLY way to measure fermentation is with a hydrometer. So you can take a sample. If the SG is less than your OG, you're on your way to beer! You can also take off the lid and just check for krausen. If you don't want to take off the lid, then shine a flashlight on the side to look for a shadow from the krausen.
Aeration helps the fermentation take off quicker and promotes heathy yeast, but it isn't required. It's a good idea, and it helps your beer quality, but you'll still have beer regardless.