Using Macros for Internet Explorer Control

Hi, I am creating an excel document that automatically log's into a webpage and copies data back to a spread sheet. I can login and copy the data back to excel but I have the following problems:

1. After logging in I run another macro to retrieve data but it opens another explorer window. How do you use an explorer window already open? I am opening explorer using CODE: Set ie = CreateObject("Internetexplorer.Application")

2. How can you check the url of the page you are currently on, or on multiple explorer windows? and can you use a wild key? for example "www.google.com/*"

I am a little new to this, not sure if the answer is simple and infront of me.

Thanks in advance for any help.