Maternity Leave Day 1: Grocery shopping with coupons

So I'm officially on maternity leave two months before my official due date.  (And, gosh darn it, I'm going to do everything in my power to get that baby to hold out until as close as possible to his due date.)  Everyone I have talked to has been "fascinated" with what I'm doing with all of my free time, so I thought I'd post short blurbs about what I've been up to.

Today we attempted our first grocery shopping trip with coupons. I've decided that if I'm really serious about this SAHM business, I better have some ways to slim down on our budget since I won't be bringing in as much money.  Since I have the time now, I thought I'd see what I could do to figure out how it all works.

Here's what I learned from the experience.

1. It is a lot of work.  I had done a lot of research online and through newsletters, but still had to plan out what to take where, where everything was located in the store, and all that jazz.
2. My husband is totally cool with shopping if coupons are involved.  Don't ask me to explain it, I think it has something to do with feeling like he has some control as he watches us save money.  Or maybe it's that he knows that I've planned what we're getting and where, so he knows we won't be wasting or killing time around the store.  But he was a superb shopping companion, getting rain checks as needed, pushing carts, loading the car, unloading the car and everything!
3. I need a lot more practice.  If any of you have some great coupon pointers or anything, please share with me, the novice!
4. Costco is always busy.  This has nothing to do with coupons, but still very true.  Do they ever have a slow time?  It's insane!

Here's my report card for Day 1:

• Exhaustion level- high
• Rest level- low (don't tell my mom!)
• Accomplishment level- high
• Baby- good