Just an update for anyone in a similar situation in the future:
I called USCIS (800-375-5283) and requested the tracking number for my EAD/AP document. Through this, I was able to see when the card would arrive. I was packed and ready to leave, and when it arrived with the mail at 1pm, I was out the door! I was able to spend 8 days with my family and still be back in time to begin work yesterday. Leaving the country was easy (they didn't even know what AP was), but it was a bit of a hassle on the way back into the US. They were very nice, but it took about an hour in secondary processing at a land border.
It took a total of 8 days for my card to arrive after I received the email that it had been ordered. I hope this help someone else in the future!
