I was rejected initially without a blanket petition and then approved after the blanket petition was in place. My experience matches exactly what you have said

I was rejected initially without a blanket petition and then approved after the blanket petition was in place. My experience matches exactly what you have said. One benefit I forgot to mention of L1 is that spouses can work incidental of status. L2S is essentially an open work permit but is tied to the validity of the L1 visa.