1) I'm not sure I would have taken this opportunity if I had had it oh, so many years ago, but if your husband is really involved with your daughter and wants you to go, I say "go for it!" If Gwenie is going to be sad when you're gone, no better person than daddie for her to rely on. A little distance goes a long way...for everyone.
Good luck making your decision!

2) Yes, she does love her Dad a lot, and when he comes home from work, she'll clamor for him 'til he swoops her up to play. But, 'round about sleepytime, she searches for The Momma...it's then that I'm afraid of and in the middle of the night.

PS. Pegi, where is YOUR Humzoo page??

3) Angi, Dylan is a total Momma's girl, not that she does not love her Dad, but the nursing has really bonded us. I had to take a week long business trip at about the time that Dylan was 8 1/2 months old and luckily had a freezer stocked full of milk. Denny said she did just fine with a morning and evening bottle. She still slept through the night too. I think that you should take some time to yourself if you can. She will be ok, and you know she is in good hands. We all need a break every now and then!

4) That is such a hard decision, and it depends so much on your daughter's temperament. Both of my boys have been momma's boys. If I had left either one for that long when they were that old, I think I would have been called back rather quickly. But... neither of my boys ever took a bottle. That was a big factor. And my boys are stubborn. I think my second would have cried and screamed probably for the whole two days had I done a weekend away. Also, be prepared for the possibility that the weekend could end nursing. I know someone that had that happen, and the mom was not ready. All those (negative) comments aside... I know how heavenly a short time away can be. And if you daughter (and husband) have the right temperament, go for it!

5) Angi, I haven't done my Humzoo page yet. I have it started it but haven't added anything yet. It's scary to me. Silly, huh?

Agree with girlcarew, family temperament is important factor. Nicki and Denny seem to be very relaxed and confident about parenting and Dylan is definitely a laid back kid. How do you and your family deal with stuff, in general? That might help you make your decision. I say, trust your gut.

Girlcarew, I don't understand the nursing thing. The baby didn't want to nurse anymore? Breast pumping would take care of the physiology.

6) Thanks Pegi! I guess I fall into a little different category, because Dylan started daycare at 12 weeks old. I had to pump and she had to have bottles while I was at work. She always did fine with the bottles. When I got back from my business trip, she was very excited to see me and nurse. She has never had any formula and she is still nursing once in the morning, and is 13 months old today. I tried to wean her completely this past weekend, but she got sick and had a fever so I knew it was not a good time. She is on the up and up, so hopefully next week she will be ready to wean completely.

Angi, you definitely have to go with your gut instincts, but I think that if Gwendolyn is taking a bottle fine that she will take it at night and in the morning while you are gone. Maybe it will help her independence as well as yours. It may be harder during the night for your husband though.

7) It was def. not an issue w/ the mom. Maybe it is a fairly isolated scenario. I know around 9 months a lot of babies get more interested in the world and some moms see it as child-led weaning when it's not really. It could certainly have been a combo of factors. I am so not the expert on being away for multiple days while still nursing. =)

8) Thanks for ALL of the great info here; I really appreciate it. I do think I am going to take up my girlfriends and go on the trip, though I know that Gwendolyn could decide not to nurse once I get back (the husband thinks). I have already begun to wean her, anyway. She nurses before both her a.m. and p.m. naps, before bed and 1-3 times during the night--yes, she sleeps with me, so she can nurse whenever she wants. (Galvin did this, also.) Hopefully, she'll be completely weaned between 12-15 months old.

She does take a bottle pretty well from Bill, with formula. I've always supplemented her due to nursing issues (mine, not hers) - I didn't produce enough with her or Galvin. She also eats three meals a day + snacks, so daytime should be OK. It's just the overnight I'm really worried about...probably because she sleeps with me, although it is between us both.

I'll definitely post a blog post-weekend to let all know how it went. All other advice is certainly welcome, and thanks, again!!