Thank you all for your thoughts, ideas and suggestions! I will be looking in to the Spinerval DVD's, read the roadbikeriders post, and will give reps a better try (I haven't been attempting them very diligently). I also might put my toddler in her backpack and go up and down our stairs several times... instead of a duffle bag with laundry (she's a good twenty-five pound and would love the ride, I'm sure!) Thanks for that fun one indigenoiis!
Again thanks for all your suggestions and will probably be trying them all a bit throughout the winter to get ready for our big hill!