When working in the Doc Cloud, why doesn't the "Save Progress" button save my embedded signatures?

I'm trying to do a simple task -- set up a document inviting several e-signatures, save my progress, then open and send out  the documents for e-signature, later, when I need to -- like after reviewing the document with participants in a Zoom meeting and everyone says that they're ready to e-sign.  

My understandinhg is that I CAN'T save my signature boxes when working in the desktop Sign, but that I CAN save them when I hit the "Save Progress" button after setting up the e-signature routine on the document within the Adobe Cloud.

Except it doesn't work. !@#$#@@!!!  It may be that I'm not closing the saved progress documents properly, but if there is desired way to close the saved document, then that way is well-hidden.

I'd be grateful for some help in plain language.

I don't understand how so simple an operation like preparing a document for later e-signing, then saving it for later use is, apparently, so difficult in Sign. Yes, I've already been to the Adobe training videos; and I've looked at non-Adobe training videos, but have yet to see how to do this. 

Thanks in advance for any help.