Have any of you adopted?

I had a very severe miscarriage a few years ago and neither DH nor I feel like getting pregnant again. We are thinking about adopting an orphaned baby or young child from Haiti, China or the Dominican Republic.

I really would like to do this. DH would, too. SDs would love to have a new brother or sister, and we'd get them very involved in decorating the child's room, helping us choose a name, etc.

However, before I make any final decision, I want to hear about how you try to "soften the blow" for both skids and your bios. How do you reassure them that Dad loves them equally? What do you say to skids when they do not go on a vacation with you and your bios? I ask because of the recent vacation blog. I am a stepkid myself but have never dealt with that topic. My mom and stepdad took all of us kids (me and his kids) on vacations. My dad and stepmom never took me on a vacation. But I've never dealt with taking only bios on vacation. As far as your bios go, is there every jealousy that skids get two sets of everything, ie. two Christmases, two birthdays, etc.? How do you discuss that with them? How do you deal with skids and biokids showing their jealousy towards each other, and how do you help them to handle their jealousy?

How do you handle trying to make everyone feel loved equally, even though people's feelings are bound to get hurt sometimes?