Ask bigshots (xiaobaitu, 2cents, radiology ...) for suggestions

My wife is currently with H4+485 pending. My 140 (EA) is pending. She has used EAD.

She is planning to go back to China for a while. Our lawyer said she should try to avoid using AP. But according to some posts here, it won't hurt if she uses AP, because she already used EAD, am I right?

Applying H-4 is an option but really don't want to give those *&^* $100...

By the way, is it good idea to apply for H-4 in Canada?