Personally, I would open up with a hep in December and post a score right away, especially if you are ready to do so. Preferably at a smaller meet (good facility) where you can roll through the events with little down time in between. I would then do one in late January to stay sharp, at a much bigger meet to get used to the waiting and competing in a better atmosphere. If you have the score you need, then you can just train on the events which you feel need it most and chill till nationals.
Most likely, you will have to do another at conference but you should have ample time to recover before nationals. I would shy away from doing more multi's than you have to, especially if you have the score you need. If you don't open up with one, then I would recommned the late Jan, Conference and then Nationals.