Wait, a 3h time change, right?
Just asking since we do have moms around here who do these huge time changes! But Michigan to CA shouldn't be bad.
We've traveled with Austin a ton. It has gotten harder in terms of flying and entertaining him as he's gotten older, but the sleep part has gotten easier.
My best advice is to get ready to try to go with the flow. Act like it's the time the clock says, not what time you think it is. Don't be afraid to let LO take a catnap here and there, sometimes it's the only thing to get them through. Although I usually try to just get him to an early BT if I can. And if sleep goes to you-know-where on the trip, don't flip out. (I've BTDT!) They really are more flexible than you think and once you get home, after a few days s/he will sort it back out again. Just make sure to stick to your routine as best you can when you get home.
For the plane, a portable DVD player has been our saviour. We don't watch much TV at home so it's a total novelty and he LOVES it. That plus snacks, snacks, and more snacks as well as some more toys. There's a thread over on the GBOT board (I think) on flying with toddlers. I'm rushing ATM so can't look for it but if you poke around, you'll find it. Lots of good ideas there. I think there's a sticky thread about time change there as well.
Good luck. You can do it!! Have fun!
