[jdub71]

I have a coupla kids with the curve and have owned the pearl myself. BB OS isnt without its own problems. I seem to remember the call log and text messages deleting themselves when memory ran low.
The pearl was a great texting phone. Loved suretype and got really fast on it. It was a decent organizer and fantastic at email. I need the ability to do some things that only WM affords, so i'm now onto the Touch (texting with the 'suretype-ish' keyboard).
Size wise, the touch and curve are very similar in thickness, curve is a bit wider.
Trackball is nice, lack of touchscreen is not.
Lots of pros to each, a few cons as well. Maybe you could borrow one from a friend for a few hours and see how you like the layout and OS.
Good luck!