Visiting the UK while my Spouse/Settlement Visa is being processed

Does anyone know if I can do this? My husband is a UK Citizen and is currently in the UK, working. I'm still in the US with our baby and will soon send in my Visa application. Would I be able to visit him as a general visitor (6- months) while we wait for approval? He hasn't seen our son in over 4 months already, and the wait for my Visa might be another 3 or 4 months. He already missed his first steps and first words 

Your passport needs to go with your application, doesn't it?

Your passport needs to go with your application, doesn't it?

It does.  However there's no reason why the wait for the visa needs to be 3-4 months.  Use an expediter, and it will be less than a week.  There are sticky threads on expediters if you want more info. 

If you use an expeditor, you can get your answer back in 48 hours or so.

oops sorry Historyenne answered before me.

Omg, I've been so stressed that I completely forgot about the passport  Thanks!