re: New sod question. All this rain and holding water

First off I'd make sure you don't have a water leak. Idk about down there but in NWLA it's dry as hell now. If no leak, Looks to me like you need a drain where the water is running over the sidewalk (stained area of sidewalk in Pic #2) You might cut a gap in the side walk and lay a piece of metal over so the water can flow. or tunnel under the walkway and install a piece of pipe for a drain.