My girls are 12 months apart so I needed something along the lines of what you're saying - toddler and newborn. I have the valco tri runabout (think that's it - the big side by side anyway) for proper walks. Its fantastic - comfortable for the girls, really easy to push, lots of lovely extras (sun and rain covers, pump etc), great storage. The downside is that it is heavy - 20kgs or so - and big when folded. So I got a tandem for shopping. DD1 hated it. Then bought a P&T - I hated it and so did DD2 once she got big enough to go in the toddler seat. I now have a steelcraft side by side stroller that I use for shopping. Cost $250 and its brilliant. Really lightweight, umbrella fold, good storage. Both the girls are really happy in it - individual reclining seats, individual hoods etc. Its not designed for newborns but FWIW I think it would be fine for a newborn. It reclines really quite flat - like you I have never had my newborns lying flat, except when DD2 was in the "cave" of the P&T.