Without a doubt, I'd take 2 cars. For a hundred reasons. It will be impossible to time stops convenient for all of you. In one car, you stop for the girls to use the bathroom, they will wake up a sleeping baby. In your own car, even if you pull over with them, you won't have as much noise. That goes for drive time as well. 4 and 5 year olds just don't sleep as much in the car as parents would like them to. They will play, sing, and fight, all of which will keep the baby from sleeping when you want him to. Like dogs in the neighborhood, one starts yelling, they all chime in! It's going to be hard, but that would not stop me if the trip were important to me. I think I'd try to get him using a sippy cup or bottle or sport bottle w/straw -something else he can drink from besides me (if you are breastfeeding). It will help "get him by" for a little while until you can stop. Mine would drink from a straw at 6 mos, they really pick it up quick. Travel as much during sleeping times as possible. Stash some interesting new toys to take out as needed, things he can explore for the first time. Expect to set next to him a lot, most of the time he is awake. Keep diapers and wipes in the side pocket of the door, or something, where you can get to them very quickly. Take some plastic bags to dispose of them. During big driving days, dress him in layers to help keep him as comfortable as possible in heat or air conditioning. If you don't have them, get shades for the windows. When we travel, the sun always seems to be in the wrong place for the baby to go to sleep or street or headlights wake them up just as they are almost asleep! Very frustrating, so shade them well. Keep an old blanket with you, so if you stop at a park or rest area (or any grassy spot) you can let him stretch. When we've travelled with our kids that young, nothing settled them down better than a chance to be on the back or tummy, change them in the fresh air to "air out" that tired bottom. And take a really big bottle of Excedrin -you'll probably need it LOL!

Thanks so much for your support, everyone. I have to say, this table has been growing on me pretty steadily, and now i'm really loving it. Knowing you all think it looks good in that spot (better than what i had there, yes?) makes me feel all the more confident i should keep it there in the entry. And i admit, i'm also relieved to know i didn't pay too much for it (i just can't bring myself to haggle). Valinsv, thank you so much for posting here. You know how i feel about your room, so your vote of confidence is deeply appreciated. And now i know what color Restore A Finish i should get! Leahcate, i think i know what you're saying about the flipped up table top, but it looks like i'm keeping it under the mirror so it will have to remain closed. I'll definitely post before/after pictures once i work on it. When you see a close up of the current finish, the damage will make you wince. I hope i don't muck it up. Barb5, thank you also for your vote of confidence, and i might as well comment here about the magnificent woodwork you did in your dining room! The fruits of your labor must have you bursting with pride. Well done. Bigdoglover, you're right about the versatility. That does make it so much easier to justify, and your point about having no regrets in the long run is spot on. In this economy, i can't help but to experience a stronger initial sting over what is essentially a purely self indulgent purchase. But already i've gotten over that (with all your help here), and i'm feeling good about it. :) Thanks again everyone. Cheers!

Thanks Sylvia for another successful swap. This one was really fun. I really enjoyed myself and hated to leave. I came home with way more than I got there with. Haven't had a chance to do anything with them yet. Hopefully I can get outside tonight because it's killing me. I want to work in the yard! Everyone have a great day and thanks for all of the wonderful plants!

I was going to mention exactly what Toby did. Hottest month of the year, Multnomah Falls won't likely be 'falling' as spectacularly as usual. The trip down from Seattle will be at least 4 hours-if you go the coast route plan on it being at least 6 hours then another hour plus into Portland. Southern Oregon and Crater Lake would not fit into your itinerary, just too far to go, plus at that time of the year the heat is brutal! Seattle traffic is crummy and no parking, but it's a great place to visit. My Aunt recently moved to Gig Harbor and loves it, I was planning to visit in May but my reason for a trip to Seattle was cancelled, so I'll be postponing that, but I hear it's beautiful. IMHO I'd stick to the Seattle/NW Washington/SW Canada area. You'll definitely want a rest between road trips! I'd suggest a planned visit to the Tacoma Museum of Glass. Dale Chihuly usually has exhibits there-oh and the Chilhuly Gardens. I missed that my last trip up there but it's definitely on my next list. August would be a good time to stay in that area-the weather should be perfect.