Yes, it was expedited. It took 7.5 weeks from the time checks were cashed. I received the passports via USPS Express Mail today, even though the status changed back to Approved from Shipped over night.

I initially made an appointment for 4/6 to apply at a local county's office. Fortunately, I got an appointment at a USPS for 3/6 later. (Where I live in CA, it's hard to find an appointment.) Otherwise. I would be cutting too close to our travel date. I remember when I applied for my first passport back in 2007, I went to the passport agency in Chicago. I had an appointment, but they co-mingled us with folks without appointments. I waited for 5 hours there. Back then, there was a surging demand for passports because Canada/Mexico started to require passports for travel.