Camcorders forum: New baby - 1st camcorder, budget $1000 - Please Help!!!

Hello all,

I have never owned a camcorder but with a baby on the way (November) I think it is time to take the plunge. My budget is around $1,000. This will be to take movies of the new kid to keep for ourselves (bribery when she starts to date) and to send to the grandparents. I would like to grow with this one for a bit, using it on trips and as the family grow. While I will never go for the Oscar, like anybody else, I want to get the best for the money.

So to rank the priorities:
1. Quality - what will look and sound the best
2. Ease of use - both to take the picture, but then to edit and distribute the picture
3. Comfort and functionality

For the price range, it seems the front runners are the Sony HC-90, or the Panasonics PV-GS 250 or 400. That said, I am open to anything.

I am dizzy with the comparisons - Sony is better for low light (which will be the case for the baby), the Panasonics are better with 3 CCD and mic in.

PLEASE HELP!!! What would you buy for this price range and under these conditions?

Thank you very much for your advice.