I would go for a digital one for starters. The new DVD camcorders would probably make more sense, as I a sure you would use it for other family coverage.
You may want to edit the raw material so consider how the camera will link to a PC, and the size of memory, processor and hard drive you would need to edit digital video.
If you are going to mount it in the car, consider how this is going to be done, see post from Jack Olsen to give you sound advise.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=248301&highlight=camera