bringing in laws -- questions

Hi,
I would like to bring my in-laws in June 1st week of 2004. I've 2 questions.

1) When should they go for stamping. If they go next week and if they get visa for 6 months, when does the clock starts ticking? We would like them to stay here for 6 months from June 1st week

2) My H1-B is pending, there is a RFE and the attorney need to respond to it yet. So, I think for another 2,3 months there is no chance that I will get the H1-B(I'm not going for premium processing). Also my labor got cleared recently and I'll be applying for I-140 and 485 concurrently in another 2 weeks.

In this situation can I bring them here? My assumption was I need to have approved H1 to bring them. I would appreciate if somebody can advise me what I should do.

#1. To be on safer side they shold apply a few weeks ago when hey actually plan to travel.
#2. Better to have a approved H1 in hand. I40/485 pending status doesnt help much ...