So I bit the bullet yesterday and paid $152.96 for myself and my girlfriend's passports to be expedited. It's frustrating not having any updated information at all during this process. It drove me crazy and being on week 3 and still no news was getting to me. They took the money out of my account this morning, no update yet on their website.

My timeline
April 6: Submitted application for new passport book at local library. Expired passport submitted as well.
April 11: Notified via email that the application was received and given my locator number.
April 12: Check was cashed by dept.
May 2: Called status line and expedited our applications (3 weeks, 15 business days exactly from the date application received)
May 3: Expedite fee taken out of account, no update on the website yet.